DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED IL-6 LEVELS IN AMBULATORY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cardiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine involved in acute inflammation, immune responses, and cardiovascular disease risk.
• Elevated IL-6 levels are linked to increased cardiovascular disease risks.
• Chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) patients represent a population at risk, similar to COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate baseline Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF).
• To explore demographic and clinical factors associated with varying IL-6 levels in CHF patients.
• To compare IL-6 levels and related parameters between CHF patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Consecutive sampling recruited 96 CHF patients and 34 controls.
• Hematologic, biochemical, and immunologic parameters were measured.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc analysis.

Main Results:

• IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CHF patients compared to controls.
• CHF patients exhibited higher prevalence of abdominal obesity and differing comorbidity profiles.
• Significant differences were observed in pro-inflammation, coagulation, and hematology parameters between groups and within IL-6 subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Elevated IL-6 is a key marker in CHF patients.
• Distinct IL-6 levels in CHF patients suggest varying risks for disease progression and comorbidity deterioration.
• Further research into IL-6's role in CHF pathogenesis and risk stratification is warranted.