title: Interleukin-6: a potential inflammatory marker after total joint replacement.
abstract: In a prospective study C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) measurements were taken serially in 30 patients before and after 20 total hip arthroplasties (THR) and 10 total knee arthroplasties (TKR). There were no peri- and postoperative complications. Postoperatively the IL-6 serum concentration increased rapidly and peaked 6 h postoperatively at maximum levels (399+/-140 pg/ml). There was a mean half-life of 15 h and thereafter a rapid return to normal concentrations. In comparison, the postoperative CRP concentration rose more slowly and reached maximum levels (138+/-54 mg/l) on the second postoperative day. There was thereafter a slow descent with a mean half-life of 62 h. There was no significant difference between the patients with THR and those with TKR (P>0.05). IL-6 is therefore a superior marker for the inflammatory phase after THR and TKR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Technical University of Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Miltner
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Zilkens
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein