THE ROLE OF IL-6 AND IL-1 IN COVID-19 DISEASE PROGRESSION: THE IMPACT OF GENDER-BASED DIFFERENCES, BMI VARIABILITY AND CO-MEDICATIONS

The immune response to COVID-19 has gained significant attention due to its potential association with disease severity.This study assessed the relationship between IL-1 and IL-6 levels and COVID-19 severity, considering factors such as age, gender, BMI, comorbidities and co-medications.A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted on 329 patients with confirmed COVID-19, stratified by disease severity.Serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were measured at the time of admission.No significant correlation was found between elevated IL-1 levels and disease severity.Conversely, IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in severe cases.The association between IL-6 and disease severity was more pronounced in patients with lower BMI.Gender differences were noted, with men exhibiting more severe outcomes.IL-6 appears to be a more reliable predictor of disease severity than IL-1 in COVID-19 patients, particularly those with lower BMI.Gender-specific immune responses and the impact of age on cytokine production highlight the complexity of immune regulation in COVID-19.Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting IL-6 and other cytokines and the effects of medications on disease severity.