Quantitative Assessment of Interleukin-6 and Ferritin Levels and its Clinical Correlation among COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a global challenge threatening human life worldwide. Early recognition of severe forms of COVID-19 infection is critically essential for timely triaging of COVID-19 patients. Biochemical Parameters correlating clinically with the severity of COVID-19 infection amidst testing of Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) levels can serve in timely management of severe COVID-19 infections. Aim: To estimate the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokine serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum ferritin levels and to clinically correlate these markers with COVID-19 disease severity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional single center study conducted in a Tertiary care Hospital and Research Center from July 2020 to September 2020, 113 COVID-19 positive patients confirmed by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were included, Serum IL-6 and Serum Ferritin levels were measured in the patient’s blood sample using standard Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Vitros ECi Immunodiagnostics respectively. Data obtained was statistically analysed using SPSS Software version 22. Results: Of the 113 COVID-19 infected patients, 53 were included in Group A, 27 patients in Group B and 33 patients in Group C. Mean±SD of Serum IL-6 levels were 10.92±2.65, 40.05±11.66 and 120.92±40.96 (p<0.001) and Serum Ferritin levels 368.21±374.85, 309.15±291.58, and 433.45±376.13, respectively. Conclusion: IL-6 correlated significantly with disease severity of COVID-19 infection and can be judiciously used for stratification and management of COVID-19 infected patients. Serum Ferritin concentration were found to be high in severe cases of COVID-19 infections and did not show any significant variation compared with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 infection.