Elevated Serum Interleukin-17 Levels in Thoracic Trauma Patients with Poor Prognosis: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Purpose: To measure interleukin (IL)-17 serum levels in thoracic trauma patients and to correlate these levels with other cytokines and with patient prognosis.  Methods: This prospective observational study recruited 130 thoracic trauma patients who were admitted to the Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Medical College of Health June 2020 to April 2022 and 100 healthy volunteers. Patients were divided into two groups based on Injury Severity Score (ISS): ISS<16 (mild/moderate trauma) and ISS ≥16 (severe trauma). Serum IL-17, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-1β and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients with poor prognosis were defined as those who developed serious complications or died during hospitalization or follow-up.  Results: Serum levels of IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly elevated in patients with ISS ≥16 (p<0.05). Serum cytokines levels increased within 48 h in both groups and then gradually decreased during subsequent treatment and rehabilitation. Pearson’s analysis indicated a positive correlation among IL-17, TNF-α and IL-1β. Serum IL-17 levels in patients with poor prognoses were higher than the patients with good prognoses at all time points (p<0.05). Furthermore, for patients with poor prognoses, the serum IL-17 levels had highest diagnostic value among all the cytokines measured. Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-17 was the risk factor for thoracic trauma patients with poor prognoses.  Conclusion: Serum IL-17 levels were significantly elevated in thoracic trauma patients and decreased gradually with rehabilitation. IL-17 was a risk factor for thoracic trauma patients with poor prognoses. This study suggests a new diagnostic and therapeutic target for thoracic trauma patients.