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IL-6 and IL-10 are associated with disease severity and higher comorbidity in adults with COVID-19

Rafael Luís Luporini1, Joice M de A Rodolpho2, Lauro Tatsuo Kubota3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil; Biotechnology Graduate Program, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil.

Cytokine
|April 11, 2021
PubMed

Insights

In older COVID-19 patients, higher Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels correlate with disease severity and comorbidities. The comorbidity index is crucial for risk stratification in elderly COVID-19 patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant global burden on public health and healthcare systems.
  • Inflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19.
  • Understanding age-related differences in inflammatory responses is crucial for managing the disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess circulating inflammatory cytokine levels in hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients.
  • To compare cytokine levels between older adults (≥65 years) and younger adults (<65 years).
  • To explore associations between inflammatory markers, age, and comorbidities in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 142 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
  • Data collection included sociodemographic information, comorbidities, and clinical severity scores (NEWS2, SOFA).
  • Serum cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10) were quantified using flow cytometry.

Main Results:

  • Older adults (≥65 years) exhibited significantly higher serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 compared to younger adults.
  • IL-10 levels were independently associated with patient age and disease severity.
  • IL-6 levels were not directly associated with age but were significantly linked to the comorbidity index and disease severity in older adults.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated IL-6 and IL-10 are associated with increased disease severity and higher comorbidity burden in elderly COVID-19 patients.
  • The comorbidity index appears more critical than chronological age for risk stratification in this population.
  • These findings highlight the importance of considering comorbidities in managing older COVID-19 patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
AgedCOVID-19ComorbiditySARS-CoV-2

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