Biomarkers · Inflammation
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Lower values carry lower risk. Not measured in our NHANES panel; the curve is synthesised from the published association.
Hazard ratio relative to the curve's reference value, as synthesised from the published association.
Published hazard ratio1.42top vs bottom third (95% CI 1.30–1.55) · Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration (IL-6 Consortium)
Where people sit
Population percentiles (pg/mL) by sex and age band. Cycle or source as recorded in the catalogue.
| Sex | Age | 5th | 25th | Median | 75th | 95th | n | Cycle / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 20-39 | 0.77 | 1.38 | 2.28 | 3.79 | 10.3 | 353 | MIDUS 3 Biomarker Proj… |
| All | 40-59 | 0.77 | 1.38 | 2.28 | 3.79 | 10.3 | 353 | MIDUS 3 Biomarker Proj… |
| All | 60+ | 1.17 | 2.17 | 3.09 | 4.78 | 12.2 | 366 | MIDUS 3 Biomarker Proj… |
| All | all | 0.92 | 1.76 | 2.82 | 4.58 | 11.6 | 747 | MIDUS 3 Biomarker Proj… |
| Men | all | 0.91 | 1.75 | 2.92 | 4.75 | 12.1 | 330 | MIDUS 3 Biomarker Proj… |
| Women | all | 0.92 | 1.78 | 2.75 | 4.43 | 10.6 | 417 | MIDUS 3 Biomarker Proj… |
What studies found when this marker was changed
Effects on the biomarker reported in the cited studies. They describe what happened in those populations, not a recommendation for anyone. See all catalogued interventions.
| Type | Intervention | Reported effect | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| behavioral | Chronic Psychosocial Stress and Elevated Glucocorticoids | +35% to +60% elevation | prospective cohort | Steptoe A, et al. Brain Behav Immun. 2007;21:901-912. |
| exercise | Regular moderate aerobic endurance training and resistance training | Lowers baseline circulating IL-6 by 20-35% | meta-analysis | Estruch R, et al. Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterran… |
| exercise | Structured resistance and moderate aerobic training | -15% to -30% resting reduction | meta-analysis | Zheng G, et al. Cytokine. 2019;117:1-10. |
| lifestyle | Visceral Adiposity Accumulation (waist circumference >102cm) | +50% to +100% elevation | prospective cohort | Fontana L, et al. Diabetes. 2007;56:1010-1013. |
| nutraceutical | Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA/DHA 2-4g/day) | -12% to -22% reduction | meta-analysis | Li K, et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2014;58:2116-2125. |
| pharmacologic | Anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (Tocilizumab) | -60% to -80% signaling suppression | rct | Ridker PM, et al. Lancet. 2012;379:1205-1213. |
Sources
- Hazard curve: Synthesized from mortality_association (HR=1.42 tertile_extreme); per-SD log(HR)=0.238. Circulating IL-6 upstream driver of acute-phase proteins with strong linear hazard for all-cause death.
- Kaptoge S, et al. Interleukin-6 and risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality: prospective cohort studies meta-analysis. Eur Heart J. 2014;35(9):578-589.