Comparative Analysis of Serum IL-6 Levels in Stable COPD and Acute Exacerbation of COPD Patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is defined by chronic inflammation and progressive limitation of airflow. Exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are usually accompanied by higher levels of systemic inflammation and are frequently associated with increased inflammatory cytokines like Interleukin-6 (IL-6). 

Objective: To evaluate and compare serum IL-6 levels in patients with stable COPD and those with AECOPD. 

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 60 COPD patients in Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai. Patients were divided into two groups: 30 with stable COPD and 30 with AECOPD. Serum IL-6 levels were quantified with ELISA. Statistical evaluation was done using the Student’s t-test where p < 0.05 was considered significant. 

Results: The mean IL-6 level of the stable COPD group was 6.4 ± 2.1 pg/mL whereas for the AECOPD group it was 18.7 ± 5.6 pg/mL. Difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001), corroborating the view that IL-6 levels increase significantly during exacerbations.

Conclusion: IL-6 levels were significantly higher in AECOPD patients compared to those in a stable phase. This suggests that IL-6 may serve as a useful biomarker for identifying and monitoring acute exacerbations in COPD patients.