Changes in interleukin‑6 levels depending on body mass index in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Aim. To estimate IL-6 levels in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) depending on body mass index (BMI).

Material and methods. The study included 110 patients with ADHF. The patients were assigned into 4 groups depending on BMI. The first group included 17 patients with BMI<25 kg/m²; the second group, 29 patients with 25≤BMI<30 kg/m²; the third group, 33 patients with 30≤BMI<35 kg/m²; and the fourth group, 31 patient with BMI ≥35 kg/m². All patients underwent standard general clinical and biochemical studies. IL-6 levels were determined using monoclonal antibodies. After 1 year of observation, clinical condition of all patients was assessed as stable.

Results. IL-6 levels in ADHF patients decreased as BMI increased. The highest IL6 values were recorded in group 1 patients (14,61(8,65; 21,14) pg/ml) and the lowest in group 4 patients (6,34(3,61; 10,17) pg/ml). As BMI increased in groups, the percentage of patients with HFpEF increased (from 12% in group 1 to 40% in group 4). Under stable condition, the intergroup differences between IL-6 were insignificant, with IL-6 levels being lower than in ADHF. A negative correlation was established between IL-6 levels and BMI (r =-0.265, p = 0.006), IL-6 levels and LVEF (r = -0,201, p= 0,040) and between BNP concentrations and BMI (r = -0,486, p < 0,001) in patients with ADHF.

Conclusion. In patients with ADHF, an increase in BMI is accompanied by a decrease in circulating IL‑6 levels, which may indicate differences in inflammatory response mechanisms in patients with normal body weight and obesity. Further research will make it possible to develop novel personalized approaches to the treatment of heart failure in overweight and obese patients.

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