IL-6 and IL-17 as potential links between pre-existing hypertension and long-COVID sequelae in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Objective: We hypothesized that an increase in the production of interleukins (IL)-6 and IL-17 could serve as a potential mechanism linking pre-existing uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) to the occurrence of long-COVID sequelae in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Methods: . In this cross-sectional study, we examined serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels in 80 patients undergoing HD, taking into account preinfection BP, the presence of long-COVID sequelae, and the time interval after acute COVID-19 infection, which was either 5 or 10 months. The cytokines were measured by ELISA assay. Controlled BP was defined as a 3-month average pre-dialysis BP <140/90 mmHg and post-dialysis <130/80 mmHg. Results: . The prevalence of long-COVID sequelae was significantly higher in patients with uncontrolled BP than in the BP-controlled group. Both IL-6 and IL-17 concentrations were also significantly higher in patients with uncontrolled BP compared with the BP-controlled group. The patients with long-COVID sequelae had higher IL-6 and IL-17 values than the fully recovered patients at both time points, but their concentrations decreased significantly over time. Conclusions: . Elevated levels of serum IL-6 and IL-17 in patients undergoing HD with pre-existing uncontrolled BP may be associated with developing long-COVID sequelae.