Plasma Interleukin-6 Levels in Relation to the Severity of Pain in Cancer Patients: A Case-control Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in North East India
Introduction: With increased levels of ferritin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and the proinflammatory cytokine Intrleukin-6 (IL-6) frequently seen in cancer patients, inflammation is acknowledged as a critical component in the context of cancer. For medical professionals, managing pain in cancer pa...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/18826/68121_F(IS)_PF1(AG_SL)_QC&Ref(KK_OM)_PFA(AG_KM)_PN(KM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: With increased levels of ferritin, C-Reactive Protein
(CRP), and the proinflammatory cytokine Intrleukin-6 (IL-6)
frequently seen in cancer patients, inflammation is acknowledged
as a critical component in the context of cancer. For medical
professionals, managing pain in cancer patients, whether from
the illness or its treatment, remains a constant struggle.
Aim: To compare the markers of inflammation between controls
and cancer patients with pain and to correlate the degree of
pain and IL-6 levels in this group of patients.
Materials and Methods: The present case-control study was
conducted from January 2022 to December 2022 on 45 age-matched
controls and 40 cancer patients with varied levels of pain who were
included in the Palliative Care Unit of a State Cancer Hospital,
Guwahati, Assam, India. The intensity of pain was measured using
a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Blood samples were taken to
assess the levels of IL-6, ferritin, and CRP. The data were analysed
statistically using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and linear
regression, and were presented as mean±Standard Deviation (SD).
Results: Compared to controls, cancer patients had significantly
higher levels of IL-6, CRP, and ferritin (p-value <0.001). Spearman’s
correlation analysis revealed a positive link between pain intensity
and IL-6 (p-value<0.001, r-value=0.516) and between pain and
CRP (p-value=0.002, r-value=0.474) was found using Spearman’s
correlation analysis.
Conclusion: The study results suggest a possible role for IL-6
in cancer-related pain by indicating a clear correlation between
elevated IL-6 levels and the severity of pain experienced by
cancer patients. This lays the foundation for investigating IL-6
antagonists as potential painkillers for cancer patients. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |