Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of long-term illness and mortality on a global scale. Severe inflammation in the parenchyma, airways, and pulmonary vasculature is a hallmark of COPD. Chronic inflammation results in the irreversible constriction of small airways and the subsequent loss of alveolar walls (emphysema). In addition to the airway and lungs, research has shown that the inflammatory response was evident in the systemic circulating system.

Aim
This study’s purpose was to assess the role of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) in detecting disease severity in patients with COPD.

Patients and methods
This is a case–control study that was conducted in the Chest Outpatient Clinic and Chest Department at Benha University Hospital. The study comprised two groups: group A included 40 patients with stable COPD. In group B, 40 people who appeared to be in good health served as the control group. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify serum IL-6 and spirometry was performed using the “Jaeger Master Screen PFT: CareFusion UK Ltd, Basingstoke, UK.”

Results
IL-6 serum levels (ng/l) were significantly higher (P