The value of interleukin-6 in predicting disease relapse for Takayasu arteritis during 2-year follow-up.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the value of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in predicting long-term disease prognosis for Takayasu arteritis (TA).

METHODS:

Sixty-seven TA patients, who had IL-6 levels detected at the first visit and had a regular follow-up of at least 2 years, were enrolled. Data recorded up to March 31, 2019, including clinical presentations, laboratory indices, treatments, and radiological images were collected and used for analysis. The value of IL-6 in predicting disease relapse and imaging progression was analyzed.

RESULTS:

IL-6 levels were positively related with disease activity index, including Kerr scores, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Patients were divided into three groups according to baseline serum IL-6 levels: low group (< 5.4 pg/mL, n = 29), medium group (5.4-11.5 pg/mL, n = 20), and high group (> 11.5 ng/mL, n = 18). Patients in the medium and high group had higher disease activity than those in the low group (p < 0.01). Baseline IL-6 levels were correlated with luminal stenosis (p < 0.05), although no significant correlations with long-term imaging progression were observed. Patients with more than 2 episodes of disease relapses were most commonly seen in the medium group (p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis indicated that medium and high IL-6 levels were positive predictors for disease relapse (HR 4.3, 95%CI 1.3-18.7 p = 0.07 for medium group; HR 2.1, 95% CI 0.7-48.9, p = 0.19 for high group) with disease status and treatment adjusted.

CONCLUSIONS:

IL-6 may be a valuable predictor of TA disease relapse during long-term follow-up. Treatments targeted at IL-6 pathways might reduce disease relapse and have better prognostic effects for TA. Key Points • Positive relationships between IL-6 levels and disease activity index, including Kerr scores, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, etc. were indicated. • Medium and high baseline IL-6 levels were valuable for predicting disease relapse during the 2-year follow-up. • Baseline IL-6 levels were positively correlated with luminal stenosis on imaging.

• Authors: Ying Sun, Xiufang Kong, Xiaomeng Cui, Xiaomin Dai, Lili Ma, Huiyong Chen, Rongyi Chen, Peng Lv, Jiang Lin, Qingrong Huang, Xuejuan Jin, Lindi Jiang
• Journal: Clinical rheumatology (Clin Rheumatol) Vol. 39 Issue 11 Pg. 3417-3425 (Nov 2020) ISSN: 1434-9949 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 32388749 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Prognosis
• Recurrence
• Takayasu Arteritis