CHU 86021 Poitiers Cedex (France): *Service de Réadaptation et Gériatrie ; **Laboratoire cytokines, Université de Poitiers, ESACNRS 6031 ; ***Département de Biostatistiques. ****Diaclone, Besançon

Abstract: Objective: To determine the survival prognostic value of serum interleukin-6 level in very old people. Design: Prospective 12-month clinical survey in a long term ward and in a day care hospital. Setting: A long-term ward and a day care hospital for very old and dependent people, located in Poitiers (France). Participants: A cohort of 115 old people [Range 64-101], either in a long-term ward (n=71) or in day care hospital (n=44). Measurements: Patients were checked for different nutritional parameters and the Interleukin-6 level in the serum at baseline and patients were followed up for one year. Results: A high level of interleukin-6 (Il-6) is associated with increased Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index (PINI) value, serum CRP thereby demonstrating the inflammatory role of this molecule. It is also associated with an increased risk of death. Using a survival regression model, a high Il-6 serum level observed at the beginning of the study is a bad prognostic indicator , with other biological or nutritional parameters having no significant influence. Conclusion: A high level of Interleukin-6 may be a better marker of prognosis than an increased PINI score.

Key Words: Interleukin-6, nutrition, elderly, prognosis, ageing