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Subject Area

Dermatology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this work was to study the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with liver cirrhosis. Background IL-6 is an interleukin that acts as both proinflammatory response and anti-immune response. Patients and methods This study included 80 patients divided into three groups: group I represents the control group (20 healthy individuals), group II included patients with liver cirrhosis 'without HE' (30 patients), and group III included patients with liver cirrhosis and HE of different grades (30 patients). Full history taking, clinical examination, and investigations for all cases were done. Results There was significant difference in serum IL-6 level among the three groups: normal, liver cirrhosis, and HE groups (44.63 ± 43.08, 85.57 ± 54.24, and 156.5 ± 93.90, respectively; P ≤ 0.0001). There was a significance difference when comparing the mean values of serum IL- 6 in HE group according to Child classification (P < 0.0001). Conclusion IL-6 serum level is increased significantly in patients with 'liver cirrhosis and HE' and may be used as a confirmatory diagnostic marker of overt HE.

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