Serum Interleukin-39 as an Emerging Inflammatory Biomarker in Diabetes Mellitus: Evidence from ROC Curve Analysis

Background: Diabetes mellitus is related to chronic low-level inflammation that leads to metabolic perturbations. Interleukin (IL)-39 is a novel cytokine, but its involvement in the pathogenesis of inflammation and diabetes has yet to be clarified. Objective: To measure serum IL-39 level and evaluate the diagnostic value of IL-39 in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: It was a case–control study with diabetic patients and controls. Anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, and insulin resistance measurements were determined. Serum IL-39 was quantified, and the diagnostic accuracy was determined on the basis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The levels of serum IL-39 were higher in the diabetic patients than those in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The detection performance of IL-39 in the diagnosis of diabetic patients was well evaluated by ROC curve analysis with a large area under the curve. Circulating IL-39 was positively correlated with markers of glycemic disturbance and insulin resistance.