Investigates the correlation between IL-6 levels and lung involvement in systemic sclerosis, suggesting its role as a potential marker.
Background: A progressive pulmonary involvement is frequent in systemic sclerosis and it is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. IL-6 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis via stimulation of fibroblasts to produce excess collagen and glycosaminoglycan. Specific correlation between IL-6 and lung involvement in systemic sclerosis is still a subject for research. Aim: To study the possible correlation between lung involvement (assessed by spirometry and HRCT abnormalities) and the serum level of IL-6. Subject and methods: 20 patients with scleroderma compared with 20 matched volunteers as control group. All participants underwent spirometry, HRCT scan and serum IL-6 measurements. HRCT signs were scored according to Warrick score for systemic sclerosis. Results: Patients showed a statistically significant reduction in FVC%, FEF 25-75% and significantly higher ESR and IL-6 compared to control. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the total HRCT score and serum IL-6. Conclusion: serum IL-6 could be a marker of the degree pulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.
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Yousif et al. (2014) studied this question.
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