While reduced TGF-β1, IFN-γ and MCP-1 levels and increased IL-12 levels were significantly associated with lower HRQoL scores, there were much larger absolute independent effect sizes on age adjusted HRQoL for the presence of malar rash or alopecia, analgesic use, daily cigarette consumption, and poor glycaemic control (HbA1c (%)), compared to the unitary changes in the cytokine levels. The gene discussed is CCL2; the disease is alopecia.