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IL-6 and IL-17 as potential links between pre-existing hypertension and long-term COVID sequelae in patients
Natalia Stepanova1, Victoria Driianska2, Andriy Rysyev3
1Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, State Institution "Institute of Nephrology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences", Kyiv, Ukraine. nmstep88@gmail.com.
Uncontrolled blood pressure in hemodialysis patients is linked to higher rates of long COVID symptoms. Elevated interleukins (IL)-6 and IL-17 may play a role in these persistent post-COVID conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Long COVID presents persistent symptoms post-infection, complicating care for patients with chronic conditions like hypertension.
- Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) with pre-existing hypertension are a vulnerable group for developing long-term COVID sequelae.
- Interleukins (IL)-6 and IL-17 are investigated as potential mediators linking uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) to long COVID.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pre-infection blood pressure control and long COVID sequelae in hemodialysis patients.
- To examine the role of serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels in patients with and without long COVID sequelae.
- To assess the impact of time post-COVID-19 infection on IL-6 and IL-17 levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 80 hemodialysis patients.
- Serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels were measured.
- Pre-infection blood pressure control (controlled vs. uncontrolled) and presence of long COVID sequelae were assessed at 5 and 10 months post-infection.
Main Results:
- Long COVID sequelae prevalence was significantly higher in patients with uncontrolled BP compared to those with controlled BP.
- Serum IL-6 and IL-17 concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with uncontrolled BP.
- Patients with long COVID sequelae exhibited higher IL-6 and IL-17 levels than recovered patients, with levels decreasing over time.
Conclusions:
- Uncontrolled blood pressure may increase the risk of long COVID sequelae in hemodialysis patients.
- Elevated IL-6 and IL-17 levels are associated with uncontrolled BP and long COVID in this cohort.
- Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore therapeutic implications.
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