Abstract

Background: Helper T lymphocytes 17 (Th17) secrete various interleukins, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which promotes the pathological process in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Therefore, serum Interleukin-6 levels may be related to the clinical and subclinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis. Objectives: To determine serum Interleukin-6 concentrations in rheumatoid arthritis patients and to investigate the relationship between serum Interleukin-6 concentration with some clinical and subclinical characteristics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy hospital and 30 healthy people in a control group. Results: The mean serum IL-6 concentration of the patient group was 120.57 pg/mL which was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the control group (5.73 pg/mL). There was a statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between serum Interleukin-6 concentration and the time of disease onset, the number of damaged joints and the 2nd-hour erythrocyte sediment rate. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation (p < 0.05) between serum Interleukin-6 concentration with red blood cell amount, hemoglobin concentration. There was a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) between serum Interleukin-6 concentration and CRP , RF, Anti-CCP and 1st-hour erythrocyte sediment rate. Conclusion: Increased serum IL-6 levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients affect joint injury, induce anemia, promote inflammation and increase autoantibodies.