Increased serum pigment epithelium-derived factor levels in type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy

Serum pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) levels were significantly higher in type 1 diabetic patients with retinopathy (n = 20, 10.38 ± 3.87 μg/ml) compared to the patients without it (n = 57, 7.68 ± 2.80 μg/ml) (p = 0.0013). Elevated PEDF levels may be related to the progression of diabetic retinopathy.