A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Uncomplicated and Complicated Acute Appendicitis Induce Different Cytokine Patterns




AuthorsHan, Tatu; Borman, Tuomas; Vanhatalo, Sanja; Lahti, Leo; Löyttyniemi, Eliisa; Hurme, Saija; Munukka, Eveliina; Kallonen, Teemu; Hakanen, Antti; Hollmén, Maija; Salminen, Paulina

PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons

Publication year2026

Journal: APMIS

Article numbere70168

Volume134

Issue2

ISSN0903-4641

eISSN1600-0463

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apm.70168

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen 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 addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515707580

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

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.


Last updated on 09/03/2026 09:09:43 AM