Plasma Interleukin-6 Levels in Relation to the Severity of Pain in Cancer Patients: A Case-control Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in North East India
Published: December 1, 2023 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2023/68121.18826
Firdushi Begum, Sumi Deka, Arun Deka, Archita Boiragi
1. Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati, Assam, India.
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Nalbari Medical College, Nalbari, Assam, India.
3. Professor, Department of Oncoanaesthesia and Critical Care, State Cancer Institute, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati, Assam, India.
4. Postgraduate Trainee, Department of Biochemistry, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Firdushi Begum,
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati-781032, Assam, India.
E-mail: firdushi72@gmail.com
Introduction: With increased levels of ferritin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and the proinflammatory cytokine Intrleukin-6 (IL-6) frequently seen in cancer patients, inflammation is acknowledged as a critical component in the context of cancer. For medical professionals, managing pain in cancer patients, whether from the illness or its treatment, remains a constant struggle.
Aim: To compare the markers of inflammation between controls and cancer patients with pain and to correlate the degree of pain and IL-6 levels in this group of patients.
Materials and Methods: The present case-control study was conducted from January 2022 to December 2022 on 45 age-matched controls and 40 cancer patients with varied levels of pain who were included in the Palliative Care Unit of a State Cancer Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India. The intensity of pain was measured using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Blood samples were taken to assess the levels of IL-6, ferritin, and CRP. The data were analysed statistically using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and linear regression, and were presented as mean±Standard Deviation (SD).
Results: Compared to controls, cancer patients had significantly higher levels of IL-6, CRP, and ferritin (p-value <0.001). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a positive link between pain intensity and IL-6 (p-value <0.001, r-value=0.516) and between pain and CRP (p-value=0.002, r-value=0.474) was found using Spearman’s correlation analysis.
Conclusion: The study results suggest a possible role for IL-6 in cancer-related pain by indicating a clear correlation between elevated IL-6 levels and the severity of pain experienced by cancer patients. This lays the foundation for investigating IL-6 antagonists as potential painkillers for cancer patients.
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