Serum levels of IL-6 and development of disability in older persons

Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other cytokines may be an important causal factor in development of disability in older persons and it is not likely that many more observational studies, whether case/control in nature or longitudinal, will provide the definitive answer. The cytokines may be a measure of persistent inflammation coming from specific diseases, but more study is needed to find out what the situation is and what interventions would be best. Inflammation does cause loss of muscle fiber and muscle wasting. Various types of clinical trials will be needed. They are likely to be expensive especially with healthy older people with elevated IL-6 as subjects