The SS group demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of soluble MUC16 (7.28 [SS]±3.97 versus 3.35 [KCS]±4.54 [p=0.004] and versus 1.61 [NDE]±1.22 [p<0.001]) and MUC16 mRNA (4.66 [SS]±5.06 versus 1.84 [KCS]±2.26 [p=0.01] and 1.52 [NDE]±1.04 [p=0.003]) compared to both KCS and NDE groups, respectively. This evidence concerns the gene MUC16 and dry eye syndrome.