TNF and lupus erythematosus: Vadaca et al. (26) found a significant positive correlation between TNFα, IL-6, and alexithymia in patients with lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA); Bruni et al. (27) observed a significant correlation between serum levels of TNF and alexithymia in RA; and Uher et al. (23) observed a significant positive correlation between cerebrospinal fluid levels of IL-8 and alexithymia and anxiety in non-inflammatory neurological disorder.