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Associations of the −174 G/C Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter Polymorphism with Serum Interleukin 6 and Mortality in the Elderly

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Abstract

Serum interleukin-6 (sIL6) is an acknowledged predictor of all-cause mortality in older age. A common G/C polymorphism has been identified at position −174 of the IL6 gene promoter (IL6−174G>C), but its associations with sIL6 and mortality are still unclear. Data from a population-based elderly cohort (n = 824) were used to study the associations of baseline sIL6 with the IL6−174 C-allele (C+) carrier status and all-cause mortality at 4 years, in the presence and absence of preexisting major diseases (PMD). Analyses were adjusted for socio-demographic factors and body-mass-index. Three-hundred-eighty-eight participants (47.1%) had PMD. Compared to the bottom sIL6 quartile, mortality increased both in presence [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 3.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.48–6.25] and absence of PMD [HR = 3.91; 95%CI: 1.42–10.72] for the third higher sIL6 quartile, but only in presence of PMD for the top sIL6 quartile [HR = 2.30; 95%CI: 1.09–4.83]. In absence of PMD, C+ carrier status did not affect both sIL6 and mortality. In presence of PMD, C+ carrier status was associated with increased baseline sIL6 [odds ratio 2.01; 95%CI: 1.25–3.22, for all sIL6 quartiles above the bottom] but not with increased mortality risk. A survival advantage was even found for C+ carriers with PMD and sIL6 in the top quartile [HR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.13–0.76]. In conclusion, although associated with increased sIL6 levels in presence of major diseases, the IL6−174 C-allele does not seem to have direct detrimental effects on survival in older age.

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Abbreviations

HR:

hazard ratio

OR:

odds ratio

PMD:

pre-existing major diseases

sIL6:

serum interleukin 6

95%CI:

95% confidence interval

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology, and Hepatology, University Hospital S. Orsola-Malpighi, Via Massarenti, 9-40138, Bologna, Italy

    Giovanni Ravaglia, Paola Forti, Fabiola Maioli & Mabel Martelli

  2. Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Martina Chiappelli & Federico Licastro

  3. Laboratory of Immunology and Genetics, Codivilla Putti Research Institute, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Paolo Dolzani & Erminia Mariani

  4. District Health Unit of Lugo, Local Health Unit of Ravenna, Ravenna, Italy

    Marisa Bianchin

  5. Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University Hospital S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy

    Luigi Bolondi

Authors
  1. Giovanni Ravaglia
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  2. Paola Forti
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  3. Fabiola Maioli
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  4. Martina Chiappelli
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  5. Paolo Dolzani
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  6. Mabel Martelli
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  7. Marisa Bianchin
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  8. Erminia Mariani
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  9. Luigi Bolondi
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  10. Federico Licastro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giovanni Ravaglia.

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Ravaglia, G., Forti, P., Maioli, F. et al. Associations of the −174 G/C Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter Polymorphism with Serum Interleukin 6 and Mortality in the Elderly. Biogerontology 6, 415–423 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-005-4908-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-005-4908-x

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