This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Short Report
Premorbid IL-6 levels may predict mortality from COVID-19
Morry Silberstein
Curtin University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4877-0672
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Purpose: There is evidence that interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are elevated in cases of complicated COVID-19, but it is also possible that this cytokine has a far more important role in the pathogenesis of viral infection. Methods: Data on COVID-19 mortality from Italy and the UK were compared with previously published results of mean IL-6 levels from these countries as well as from the USA. Results: There was a highly significant correlation (r = 0.9883; p = 0.00025) between age-stratified mortality rates and IL-6 levels from similar healthy individuals. Levels of IL-6 were proportionately higher in males, the elderly, individuals of black ethnicity and obese individuals, with similar findings in relation to COVID-19 mortality in these groups. Conclusions: IL-6 levels prior to infection may predict mortality, given that this cytokine directly facilitates viral cell entry and replication. This provides a rationale for prophylactic and therapeutic measures directed at lowering IL-6, including Vitamin D prescription.
Keywords
IL-6, COVID-19, Vitamin D
Figure 1
Figure 2
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 29 May, 2020
No community comments so far
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Infectious Diseases
Learn more about our company.
This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Short Report
Premorbid IL-6 levels may predict mortality from COVID-19
Morry Silberstein
Curtin University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4877-0672
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 29 May, 2020
No community comments so far
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Infectious Diseases
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Purpose: There is evidence that interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are elevated in cases of complicated COVID-19, but it is also possible that this cytokine has a far more important role in the pathogenesis of viral infection. Methods: Data on COVID-19 mortality from Italy and the UK were compared with previously published results of mean IL-6 levels from these countries as well as from the USA. Results: There was a highly significant correlation (r = 0.9883; p = 0.00025) between age-stratified mortality rates and IL-6 levels from similar healthy individuals. Levels of IL-6 were proportionately higher in males, the elderly, individuals of black ethnicity and obese individuals, with similar findings in relation to COVID-19 mortality in these groups. Conclusions: IL-6 levels prior to infection may predict mortality, given that this cytokine directly facilitates viral cell entry and replication. This provides a rationale for prophylactic and therapeutic measures directed at lowering IL-6, including Vitamin D prescription.
Figure 1
Figure 2