ABSTRACT
Background: Damage caused by traumatic brain injury [TBI] depends on the extent of primary and secondary damages. The latter can cause induced neurological inflammation by releasing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Measurement of serum interleukin-6 [IL-6], as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, can be useful in predicting outcome in patients with TBI.
Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 44 patients with GCS/= 14 years, hospitalized in Poursina teaching hospital, were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from patients in the first 6 hours after the accident; and serum was tested by ELISA method for the determination of IL-6 levels. Patients' outcomes were recorded 6 months after head injury according to Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS], and were divided in two good [GOS >/=4] and bad [GOS<3] outcome groups. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version18 using the Spearman's rho, independent-t test, Fisher Exact test and Mann-Whitney test.
Results: Comparison of IL-6 serum levels, in the two groups after 6 months of head injury, showed that mean serum levels of IL-6 in good outcome group was lower than bad outcome group [85.2 +/- 51.6 vs. 162.3 +/- 141.1, respectively] [P <0.03].
Conclusion: Elevated serum levels of IL-6 in patients with severe TBI, is associated with poor clinical outcome.