Serum interleukin-6 is an indicator for severity in 901 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was proposed to be associated with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to explore the kinetics of IL-6 levels, validate this association in COVID-19 patients, and report preliminary data on the efficacy of IL-6 receptor blockade.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective single-institutional study of 901 consecutive confirmed cases. Serum IL-6 concentrations were tested on admission and/or during hospital stay. Tocilizumab was given to 16 patients with elevated IL-6 concentration.

Results

366 patients were defined as common cases, 411 patients as severe, and 124 patients as critical according to the Chinese guideline on diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. The median concentration of IL-6 was < 1.5 pg

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7594951 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature