A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Uncomplicated and Complicated Acute Appendicitis Induce Different Cytokine Patterns
Authors: Han, Tatu; Borman, Tuomas; Vanhatalo, Sanja; Lahti, Leo; Löyttyniemi, Eliisa; Hurme, Saija; Munukka, Eveliina; Kallonen, Teemu; Hakanen, Antti; Hollmén, Maija; Salminen, Paulina
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Publication year: 2026
Journal: APMIS
Article number: e70168
Volume: 134
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0903-4641
eISSN: 1600-0463
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.70168
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.70168
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515707580
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Although acute appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for emergency surgery, the immunopathogenesis of appendicitis is unclear. The aim of this prospective pre-defined subgroup analysis study was to characterize serum cytokine profiles and their diagnostic potential in distinguishing between appendicitis severity to offer further insight into the immunopathology of appendicitis. We analyzed 48 cytokines from the serum samples of patients with either uncomplicated or complicated appendicitis. Out of the 113 patients included in the study, 72 patients presented with uncomplicated and 41 patients with complicated acute appendicitis. Compared to uncomplicated appendicitis, complicated appendicitis showed statistically significantly elevated levels in interleukin 6 (IL-6) (p < 0.001), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (p = 0.003), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) (p < 0.001). IL-6 had the best performance (area under curve 0.785) in predicting complicated acute appendicitis. The immune response is notably different between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis, underlining the two different diseases within acute appendicitis. IL-6 may be utilized as a diagnostic biomarker for complicated appendicitis.
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Funding information in the publication:
TH was funded by Turku University Foundation and Government hospital research grant. TB was funded by UTUGS graduate school. LL was funded by Academy of Finland 330887. PS received funding from Academy of Finland and Sigrid Jusélius Foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.