2023 Volume 72 Issue 4 Pages 506-512
We compared the trends of the levels of IL-6 and other biomarkers in patients admitted to our ICU and investigated the usefulness of IL-6 as an early marker of inflammation. The results showed that IL-6 appeared earlier than PCT, CRP, and SAA after admission to the ICU and its level tended to decrease gradually thereafter. The IL-6 level tended to peak on the first day regardless of the presence or absence of infection, surgical urgency, or surgical site. Furthermore, the possibility of predicting the length of stay using IL-6 levels at ICU admission was examined, and IL-6 (p < 0.05) and PCT (p < 0.01) levels at admission were significantly higher in the group that stayed in the ICU for more than 4 days than in the group that left within 3 days, suggesting that the levels at ICU admission may contribute to predicting the length of stay. The results suggest that the levels at ICU admission may contribute to the prediction of the length of stay. Since this study also suggests that the degree of invasion and the presence or absence of infection may cause fluctuations in IL-6 levels, the evaluation of IL-6 levels based on a comprehensive judgment of other findings is expected to contribute to an early decision on a treatment strategy.
