Relationship Between IL6/IL10 Serum Concentrations and Organ Function in Critically Ill Patients Based on Sepsis: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND

Critical illnesses, particularly sepsis with accompanying organ dysfunction, significantly increase patient mortality. The imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses is closely linked to the onset and progression of organ dysfunction in critical conditions. The ratio of interleukin-6 (IL6) to interleukin-10 (IL10) is a useful indicator of the pro- and anti-inflammatory status.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between IL6/IL10 and various outcomes, including organ function, in critically ill patients.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted from 1 January to 31 May 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Baseline characteristics, intensive care unit (ICU) parameters, laboratory test results, and outcome data were extracted from the electronic medical records system. Correlations between IL6/IL10 and various outcomes, including organ function, were analyzed.

RESULT: In total, 208 patients were included in the study. Higher IL6/IL10 levels were associated with shorter in-hospital stay, ICU stay, and mechanical ventilation time in both univariate and multivariate models. The β values and 95% confidence intervals in the multivariate model were -0.526 (- 0.684, -0.369), -0.183 (- 0.245, -0.121), and -1.510 (- 2.565, -0.456), respectively. Significant positive associations between IL6/IL10 and all organ functions except the platelet count and PaO2/FiO2 ratio were found. Sensitivity analyses in the sepsis group revealed significant correlations with nearly every organ function (except liver function) in patients without tumors and those who underwent surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that in critically ill patients, particularly those with sepsis, IL6/IL10 is significantly associated with outcomes such as organ dysfunction (including coagulation, renal, cardiac, and pulmonary function). These findings are hypothesis-generating, suggesting that IL6/IL10 may serve as a valuable indicator associated with inflammation and severity changes in critical illness.