Objective To explore the relationship of cytokines and glucocorticoids levels with prognosis in elderly septic patients.Methods Teh serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-10,corticosteroid(Cor),and adrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH) were measured in 42 elderly septic patients and 30 healthy elderly controls using ELISA and radioimmunoassay before and 1 week after treatments.Results Levels of IL-6,TNF-α and ACTH increased significantly in elderly septic patients compared with controls.Cor and IL-10 levels had no significant difference between the two groups.One week after treatments,15 patients died.Levels of IL-6,TNF-α and ACTH were significantly higher,but levels of Cor and IL-10 significantly lower in dead patients than in survival patients.Conclusion Elderly septic patients with higher inflammatory cytokines and lower Cor and IL-10 levels after treatment have poor prognosis.?更多