Elevated serum interleukin 6 levels in patients with acute intestinal ischemia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Early diagnosis of patients with acute intestinal ischemia may be possible by measuring serum cytokine levels.

METHODOLOGY: Forty-six patients presenting in emergency with an acute abdomen where intestinal ischemia was a possible diagnosis were evaluated. A single blood sample was collected in emergency prior to any intervention and the patients were then followed prospectively. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels were determined at a later date. Serum levels in patients with proven acute intestinal ischemia were compared to patients with other diagnoses.

RESULTS

Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were moderately increased in patients with acute intestinal ischemia compared to controls 96.9 +/- 98.9 pg/mL vs. 60.8 +/- 63.7 pg/mL, P = 0.16. Serum interleukin-6 levels were significantly increased in patients with acute intestinal ischemia, 15.778 +/- 21.349 pg/mL vs. 2.844 +/- 5.625 pg/mL, P = 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum interleukin-6 levels may prove useful in diagnosing patients with acute intestinal ischemia.