Evaluation of serum interleukin-6 levels in correlation to the severity of acute appendicitis

Abstract EN

problem that is associated with an acute-phase reaction.

Previous studies have shown that cytokines and acute-phase proteins are activated and may serve as indicators for appendicitis. Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate of serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in correlation to the severity to acute appendicitis. Methods : This is a prospective study from December 2008 to March 2009 of patients who had appendectomy in Department of Surgery, Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital – Baghdad / Iraq.

Serum for estimating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was taken pre-operatively.

Depending on the macroscopic evidence during the operation and the histopathological examination of the specimens, the patients were separated into 3 groups, group one with negative appendectomy (normal appendix), group two with non-complicated acute appendicitis (catarrhal, suppurative), and group three with complicated acute appendicitis (perforated, gangrenous).

The histopathological results were correlated with IL-6 values statistically. Results : A total number of 50 patients were included in this study, 28 male (56 %) and 22 female (44 %).

The mean age was 23 year (ranged from 7 to 50).

On histological examination, there were 7 patients (14 %) in group one, 29 patients (58 %) in group two, and 14 patients (28 %) in group three.

Serum IL-6 values gave true negative results in 6 %, true positive results in 82 %, false negative results in 4 %, and false positive results in 8 %.

We determined, therefore, in the present study the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum IL-6 were calculated as 95.34 %, 42.85 %, and 88 % respectively. Conclusion : Laboratory results should be considered to be integrated within the clinical assessment.

If used critically, IL-6 can provide surgeons with complementary information in discerning the necessity for urgent operation.