The Relationship Between Serum IL-6 Level and Mean Platelet Volume with the Disease Severity in Pediatric Patients with Henoch Schönlein Purpura

Objectives: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) which is the most common childhood vasculitis, causes mortality that is generally related with severe renal and gastrointestinal symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum interleukin (IL)-6 and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels and disease severity in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: HSP was diagnosed based on the EULAR/PRINTO/PRES criteria. Age, gender, season of disease onset, and the presence and type of infection before the attack were recorded. Systemic involvement for each patient was evaluated from the medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Results: A total of 85 patients between 2-17 years of age (median age: 8 years) were included in the study. All patients had the typical purpuric rash, with 71.8%, 74.1%, and 31.8% displaying joint, gastrointestinal system (GIS), and renal involvement, respectively. IL-6 levels were increased in 61.1%, 55.6%, and 63.3% of patients with renal, GIS, and joint involvement, respectively. MPV levels were decreased in 40.7%, 49.2%, and 49.2% of patients with renal, GIS, and joint involvement, respectively. IL-6 and MPV levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) between patients with and without renal, joint, or gastrointestinal involvement. Conclusion: There was no prognostic relationship between MPV or serum IL-6 levels at the initial diagnosis and GIS or renal involvement in HSP. Further studies are needed to determine the relationship between inflammatory cytokines and HSP.