Objective: To test the hypothesis that elevated interleukin (IL)-10 plasma
concentration relative to IL-6 and IL-8 in patients with acute pancreatitis
is associated with improved clinical outcome.
Design: Case series.
Setting: University hospital surgical and intensive care unit.
Patients: Patients with mild (n = 18) and severe (n = 14) acute pancreatiti
s were recruited within 12 hrs of admission and studied for 5 days.
Interventions: None.
Measurements and Main Results: The plasma concentration of IL-10 was signif
icantly elevated in patients with severe pancreatitis during the 5 days and
especially so in those who died compared with survivors on day 5 (p < .03)
. The ratio of IL-10/IL-6 was decreased in patients with severe pancreatiti
s on day 5 (p < .01). There was a significant decrease in the ratio of IL-1
0/IL-8, but not of IL-10/IL-6, during the first 5 days (p < .014).
Conclusions: The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that an increa
se in plasma IL-10 relative to IL-6 or IL-8 is associated with improved cli
nical outcome.