The Correlation Between Interleukin -6 and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated that interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels are negatively correlated. Low DHEA-S levels may be associated with severe disease and clinically ailing patients in the context of infectious diseases. Individuals infected with Coronavirus disease who exhibit elevated levels of IL-6 may undergo a cytokine storm, which can result in severe manifestations and a dismal prognosis.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between DHEA-S and Il-6 in patients exhibiting severe manifestations of COVID-19.

Subjects and Methods: A case-control investigation with 79 patients, ranging in age from 36 to 74 years, who were admitted to the hospital due to severe COVID-19 disease. A control group of 72 ostensibly healthy individuals was also included in the study. Using the ELISA method, the concentrations of IL-6 and DHEA-S in the serum of both groups were determined. The statistical analyses involved the application of the Pearson correlation coefficient and the T-test. None of the authors present any conflicts of interest.

Results: With a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of -0.8349, the study revealed a highly significant negative correlation (P < 0.0001) between the mean IL-6 level (64.369 pg/ml ± 2.6237) and the mean DHEA-S level (1.2728 ng/ml ± 1.7005) in the study group. An exceptionally significant statistical disparity was also identified when IL-6 and DHEA-S levels were compared between the study and control groups.

Conclusions: In severely infected COVID-19 patients inverse correlation between the levels of IL-6 and DHEA-S indicates that DHEA-S deficiency may play a role in cytokine storm formation for these patients.