Investigating how Interleukin 6 Serum Level, Blood Group Type, and Underlying Diseases are Associated in Patients Admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aims: This study intended to examine correlations between interleukin 6 serum levels, blood group, and underlying disease in patients admitted to the COVID-19 intensive care unit. Background: Understanding the relationship between a patient's blood group, underlying disease(s), and the body's cytokine reactions is essential for care provision to COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: The clinical records of 31 patients admitted to an intensive care unit were analyzed using a census method. Data were collected using a researcher-developed checklist and analyzed with SPSS-22 statistical software using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer post hoc, independent t, and multiple regression. The level of significance was set to p <0.05. Results: The mean serum level of interleukin 6 was significantly higher in patients with blood type B and those with two or more underlying diseases (p <0.05). The mean serum interleukin 6 levels in patients differed significantly based on the history of COVID-19 vaccine injection and the length of hospitalization (p <0.05). The mean serum interleukin 6 levels were associated with the length of COVID-19 intensive care unit stay and survival (p <0.05). Conclusion: Effective and timely care provision for COVID-19 patients is a top priority, which can be achieved by understanding the correlation between the body's cytokine reactions in the fight against COVID-19, blood type, and underlying diseases.