Interleukin 6 Associated with Adrenal Insufficiency in COVID-19 Patient

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 has been a global problem and many aspects related to the mechanism of COVID-19 in damaging patients’ organs have not been known. Interleukin 6 is a severity marker of the cytokine storm in COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the relationship between interleukin 6 with cortisol and adrenaline in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, the study was conducted at UNS (Sebelas Maret University) hospital from May to September 2020. Examination of interleukin 6, adrenaline and cortisol by taking the patients’ blood sample was conducted at 8 AM on the first and seventh day of hospitalization. Statistical test was performed using Pearson correlation. P is significant if it is less than 0.05. Results: This study shows that in COVID-19 patients, there is adrenal insufficiency with an average cortisol level of 0.91+0.53 ng/mL and an average adrenaline level of 9.20+4.29 pg/mL. The mean interleukin 6 in this study is 8.31+13.7 pg / mL. Interleukin 6 will increase the secretion of the hormone cortisol (p = 0.01;r = 0.575) and is not related to adrenaline (p = 0.057;r = 0.771). Conclusion: The COVID-19 patients experienced adrenal insufficiency, and Interleukin 6 associated with an increased cortisol hormone. The use of steroids may be beneficial in COVID-19 patients with adrenal insufficiency. © 2022 UPM Press. All rights reserved.