Abstract

This study was performed to monitor the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in COVID-19 patients and its correlation with clinical presentation, severity, HRCT chest and outcome in SARS COV-2 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: The study included 100 admitted COVID-19 patients, classified as either asymptomatic, mildly sick, seriously ill, or critically ill. The data of patients regarding medical history, clinical presentation, co-morbidities, laboratory investigation, HRCT chest report, management and outcome were extracted from the medical records for final evaluation and their interpretation for correlation among the groups. Results: Higher levels of IL-6 in COVID-19 positive Patients frequently exhibited symptomatic presentation, severity and critical illness, Elevated IL-6 level was reported among 23% of the subjects. In this study, mean HRCT CHEST severity score was found to be more among subjects with elevated IL-6 level as compared to patients with normal levels of IL-6. When CT severity score was compared according to normal and elevated IL-6 level, significant difference was found (p value <0.05). Elevated IL-6 level was reported among 76.19% and 8.86% of the non-survivor and survivor subjects respectively. When mortality was compared according to normal and elevated IL-6 level, the difference exhibited was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: This Study exhibited higher IL-6 in patients with COVID- 19 infection was associated with disease severity and mortality. Hence it can be considered as a biomarker for disease severity and mortality.

Description

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