The ratio of interleukin-6 to interleukin-10 correlates with severity in patients with chest and abdominal trauma.

To evaluate the relation between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines after major trauma, we measured pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-6) and antiinflammatory cytokine (IL-10) concentrations after trauma, and evaluated the relationship between the ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 and injury severity. In 20 patients who sustained chest and abdominal trauma, IL-10, IL-6, and lactate concentrations were measured at 0, 1, 2, and 4 days. The Injury Severity Score (ISS), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and the ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 were calculated. IL-6, IL-10, and lactate concentrations were 197.2+/-28.4 (mean +/- SEM), 71.1+/-10.1 pg/mL, and 46.7+/-9.4 mg/dL at entry. These concentrations were significantly decreased at day 4. The ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 was 3.11+/-0.47 at entry and was significantly correlated with ISS (r=.872, P<.01), APACHE II score (r=.887, P<.01). The IL-10, IL-6, and lactate concentrations were elevated immediately after major trauma, and the ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 was correlated with injury severity. This suggests that the ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 may be used to predict the injury severity after trauma.