Correlation Between the Levels of Serum TSG-14, ALBP, and EGLN1 and the Severity of Diabetic Macular Edema

Background: To investigate the relationships among serum TNF-stimulated gene І4 (TSG-14), adipocyte lipid binding protein (ALBP), and Egl nine homolog 1 (EGLN1) levels and the severity of diabetic macular oedema (DME). A total of 314 patients with DME who were admitted to our hospital from March 2022 to March 2025 were selected (DME group). The patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups based on their severity. Additionally, 314 patients with simple T2DM who were admitted to our hospital during the same period were selected (T2DM group). The levels of serum TSG-14, ALBP and EGLN1 were measured by ELISA. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of severe DME, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the blood levels of TSG-14, ALBP and EGLN1 in patients with severe DME.Results: There were significant differences in diabetes duration, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and homocysteine levels between the T2DM and DME groups (all P<0.05). Compared with those in the T2DM group, the levels of serum TSG-14, ALBP and EGLN1 in the DME group were considerably larger (all P < 0.05). Serum TSG-14, ALBP and EGLN1 levels in the moderate and severe groups were significantly higher (all P<0.05) than those in the mild group; serum TSG-14, ALBP and EGLN1 levels in the severe group were significantly higher (all P<0.05) than those in the moderate group. According to logistic analysis, EGLN1, ALBP and TSG-14 were risk factors for severe DME (all P<0.05). When evaluating patients with severe DME, ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs for serum TSG-14, ALBP and EGLN1 alone and in combination were 0.781, 0.805, 0.817, and 0.950, respectively. The combined evaluation AUC was higher than in the individual evaluations (Z=2.699, 2.714, and 2.717, all P<0.05).Conclusion: The levels of TSG-14, ALBP and EGLN1 in the serum of DME patients were dramatically raised. These three signs are related to the severity of the condition. The combination detection approach has certain clinical utility for evaluating patients with severe DME.