PMID- 34234963 OWN - NLM STAT- PubMed-not-MEDLINE LR - 20220424 IS - 2090-004X (Print) IS - 2090-0058 (Electronic) IS - 2090-004X (Linking) VI - 2021 DP - 2021 TI - Conjunctival Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Clinical Assessment in Early Ocular Graft versus Host Disease. PG - 9958713 LID - 10.1155/2021/9958713 [doi] LID - 9958713 AB - PURPOSE: Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) typically affects the ocular surface, with a presentation resembling Dry Eye Disease (DED). Although the etiopathology is not completely known, the conjunctiva might be a key site of T-cell activation. The differential diagnosis might be tricky at early stages, because of the lack of dedicated clinical and laboratory tests. To meet these needs, we evaluated the suitability of ocular surface matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) clinical test. METHODS: Consecutive GVHD patients, referred to IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, were recruited. DED patients served as controls. MMP-9 was tested through InflammaDry immunoassay kit in both groups; Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear osmolarity, fluorescein Tear Break-up Time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining, and Schirmer test I were also collected. Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were used to analyze the intergroup differences; Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to perform sensitivity and specificity evaluations. RESULTS: Forty-five GVHD and 40 DED patients were included. MMP-9 expression was significantly higher in GVHD group than in DED (84.4% vs 33%, p