Tear levels of IL-7, IL-1α, and IL-1β may differentiate between IgG4-related disease and Sjögren's syndrome.

We aim to assess and compare a cytokine and chemokine profile in tears from patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and to see if this profile could aid in differentiating these two diseases. We included 10 patients with IgG4-RD who met the Comprehensive Diagnostic Criteria for IgG4-RD and 17 patients who met the AECG criteria for primary SS. The Schirmer-I test was carried out using two standardized sterile tear strips, which were then immediately frozen at - 86 °C until assayed.