Inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with hip fracture.

UNLABELLED

Mortality and remaining bedridden following the hip fracture surgery are not rare. We tried to measure the levels of inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) following the hip fracture surgery and compare their levels with controls. We aimed to show a relationship between the levels of these markers and post-operative mortality and walking capability.

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporosis is a condition, causing the hip fractures in the elderly. Hip fractures have a high rate of overall mortality up to 30% following the incident. Cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α are suggested to play a role in bone resorption and, thus, in the etiology of osteoporosis.

METHODS

Plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured pre-operatively and on the first and second days after the surgery in 40 Turkish hip fracture patients. The levels of these cytokines were compared with 40 Turkish age-matched healthy controls. The levels of these cytokines were compared between the deceased and surviving patients, as well as the existence of walking capability following the surgery.

RESULTS

Significantly higher IL-6 levels were shown on the first and second days after the surgery (p = 0.005; p = 0.01, respectively). The overall death rate of our study group within the 2-year follow-up time was found to be 35%. No statistical significance was found in the means of 2-year follow-up mortality between the patients. Presence of walking capability did not differ between the patients, as well.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated an association between IL-6 levels and hip fracture in our study group following the surgery. We also suggest that TNF-α and IL-6 levels are not related to the occurrence of death and walking capability after the surgery. However, these findings need further functional and clinical confirmation.