Salivary TNF-α concentrations were not significantly different in OPMD patients in comparison to controls nor in OC patients in comparison to OPMD (SMD = 2.50; 95% CI − 0.65 to 5.65 and SMD = 0.76; 95% CI − 0.11 to 1.64, respectively). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.