Evaluation of interleukin-6 and its soluble receptor components sIL-6R and sgp130 as markers of inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Purpose: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production and signalling are increased in the inflamed mucosa in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). As published serum levels of IL-6 and its soluble receptors sIL-6R and sgp130 in IBD are from small cohorts and partly contradictory, we systematically evaluated IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 levels as markers of disease activity in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Consecutive adult outpatients with confirmed CD or UC were included, and their disease activity and medication were monitored.