Efficacy of Interleukin-1β Inhibitor on Dry Eye Disease in Patients with Degenerative Arthritis

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate diacerein (interleukin-1β inhibitor) efficacy on ocular surface disease (OSD).

Patients and Methods

This prospective observational study included patients who received diacerein for osteoarthritis and had dry eye (DE). The primary outcome was corneal staining score. Secondary outcomes were ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, tear breakup time (TBUT), tear osmolarity (Osm), Schirmer’s test results, interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) levels in tears. All measurements were done at baseline and 2-month follow-up visits. Linear mixed models were used to examine the effect of all parameters, and log-transformed models were used for IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-1Ra analyses.

Results

Thirty-four patients (31 females and 3 males) were enrolled. The corneal staining score improved by 1.29 points (P=0.022, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.19 to 2.40) after 2 months, and the OSDI score improved by 17.2 points (P<0.001, 95% CI 10.82 to 23.58) but TUBT decreased by 0.66 seconds (P=0.021, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.22). No significant differences were observed in the tear Osm and Schirmer’s test. IL-1Ra demonstrated no statistical difference, IL-1α was significantly increased by 80% (P=0.260), and IL-1β was significantly decreased by 99.21% (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Diacerein can improve corneal staining and decrease IL-1β levels in tears, which reflects better DE symptoms. Diacerein may be a promising alternative treatment for patients with OSD and osteoarthritis.

Keywords:

• diacerein
• dry eye diseases
• interleukin-1
• ocular surface disease

Data Sharing Statement

The raw data used in this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr Nipan Israsena for helping us with the cytokine extraction process.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. [grant number CU_GR_63_134_30_41].