Normalized transcript levels of interleukins (ILs) in the TB group with respect to pain intensity (A), symptom duration (B), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (C) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (D).

<p><b>A</b> illustrates that patients experiencing intense pain (visual analog scale [VAS] score = 8–10) exhibited higher IL-16, IL-17, and IL-18 mRNA levels than patients experiencing mild pain (VAS score = 0–4). Meanwhile, patients experiencing mild pain exhibited higher IL-10 and IL-27 mRNA levels than patients experiencing intense pain (P<0.05). <b>B</b> reveals that patients who experienced pain for 3–12 months exhibited significantly higher IL-16, IL-17, and IL-18 mRNA levels than those who experienced pain for <3 months. Conversely, patients who experienced pain for <3 months exhibited significantly higher IL-10 and IL-27 mRNA levels than those who experienced pain for 3–12 months (P<0.05). <b>C</b> indicates that the mRNA levels of IL-16 and IL-17 were significantly higher in patients with high CRP levels (>30 mg/L), whereas IL-10 and IL-27 levels were significantly higher in patients with low CRP levels (<10 mg/L) (P<0.005). <b>D</b> illustrates that the mRNA levels of IL-16 and IL-17 were significantly higher in patients with high ESRs (>40 mm/h). Conversely, IL-10 and IL-27 levels were significantly higher in patients with low ESRs (<20 mm/h) (P<0.005).