Background: Damage caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI) depends on the extent of primary and secondary damages. The latter can cause induced neurological inflammation by releasing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Measurement of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, can be useful in predicting outcome in patients with TBI.
Materials & Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 44 patients with GCS?8 (Glasgow Coma Scale) and age ³ 14 years, hospitalized in Poursina teaching hospital, were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from patients in the first 6 hours after the accident; and serum was tested by ELISA method for the determination of IL-6 levels. Patients' outcomes were recorded 6 months after head injury according to Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and were divided in two good (GOS ?4) and bad (GOS<3) outcome groups. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version18 using the Spearman's rho, independent-t test, Fisher Exact test and Mann-Whitney test.
Results: Comparison of IL-6 serum levels, in the two groups after 6 months of head injury, showed that mean serum levels of IL-6 in good outcome group was lower than bad outcome group (85.2±51.6 vs.162.3±141.1, respectively) (P<0.03).
Conclusion: Elevated serum levels of IL-6 in patients with severe TBI, is associated with poor clinical outcome.