[Clinical significance of IL-18 and IL-18-binding protein in bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the level and clinical significance of IL-18 and IL-18-binding protein (BP) in the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Methods: A total of 43 newly diagnosed patients with MDS who were admitted to the Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, from July 2020 to February 2021 were randomly selected. The control group consisted of 14 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 25 patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). The levels of IL-18 and IL-18 BP in the bone marrow supernatant were measured, and their correlations with MDS severity, as well as the functionality of CD8(+) T cells and natural killer cells, was analyzed. Results: The levels of IL-18, IL-18 BP, and free IL-18 (fIL-18) in the bone marrow supernatant of patients with MDS were higher than in the IDA group. The level of fIL-18 was linearly and negatively correlated with the MDS-International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) score. IL-18 receptor (IL-18Rα) expression on CD8(+) T cells in the MDS group was lower than in the IDA group, and the levels of fIL-18 and IL-18Rα were positively correlated with CD8(+) T-cell function in the MDS group. Conclusion: IL-18 BP antagonizes IL-18, leading to a decrease in fIL-18 in the bone marrow microenvironment of patients with MDS, affecting CD8(+) T-cell function, which is closely related to MDS severity; therefore, it may become a new target for MDS treatment.

Successfully endoscopic retrieval of ingested toothpicks in colorectum : a report of four cases.

BACKGROUND: Toothpick ingestion is a rare event, but due to the low efficacy of radiographic examination, it can induce severe complications including perforation, abscess, and sepsis. CASE REPORT: Four patients with either defecation problems or abdominal/anal pain were admitted to our hospital. Colonoscopy showed all four cases had a toothpick impacted in the colorectal wall without perforation. Direct retrieval of the toothpick under endoscopy was achieved. All four patients were relieved and remained well during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy is the most effective method to discover or retrieve ingested wooden foreign bodies when there are no severe complications.

[Comparison of short-term and long-term efficacy between robot-assisted and thoracoscopy-laparoscopy-assisted radical esophageal cancer surgery].

Objective: To explore the safety and short-term and long-term efficacy of robot-assisted radical esophageal cancer surgery. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients who were preoperatively diagnosed as stage 0-IIIB esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and suitable for minimally invasive surgery in our hospital from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Those of age ≥75 years having received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, contradicted to anesthesia or operation due to severe complications, with history of thoracotomy or laparotomy, with concurrent malignant tumors, without complete informations or refusing to participate in this study were excluded. Participants were randomly divided into the thoracoscopy-laparoscopy group and the robot group using a random number table in ratio of 1:1. Preoperative clinicopathological data, surgical data and postoperative outcomes were recorded. The patients were followed up mainly by telephone. Follow-up endpoint was recurrence of esophageal cancer and death. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival rate. The survival difference between the two groups was analyzed using the log-rank test. Results: According to above criteria, a total of 192 esophageal cancer patients were enrolled finally, including 144 males and 48 females with mean age of (61.9±8.6) years. The robot group had 94 cases, including 72 males and 22 females with mean age of (61.3±8.2) years, and the thoracoscopy-laparoscopy group had 98 cases, including 72 males and 26 females with mean age of (62.4±9.1) years. There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). Operation was abandoned in one case in each group due to extensive pleural cavity metastasis and one case in each group was converted to thoracotomy. The success rate of operation was 97.9% (92/94) in the robot group and 98.0% (96/98) in the thoracoscopy-laparoscopy group (χ(2)=0.002, P=0.996). The number of lymph nodes dissected in the robot group was significantly higher than that in the thoracoscopy-laparoscopy group (29.2±12.5 vs. 22.8±13.3, t=3.433, P=0.001), while there were no significant differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, R0 resection rate, postoperative 30-day mortality, postoperative hospital stay, ICU stay, time to withdrawal of chest drainage tube, ICU readmission, and postoperative morbidity of complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 21 (3 to 57) months. During the follow-up, 3 cases and 4 cases were lost, and 2 cases and 3 cases died of other diseases in the robot group and in the thoracoscopy-laparoscopy group respectively. Recurrence occurred in 39 cases during follow-up, including 14 recurrences in the robotic group with 1- and 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of 92.4% and 87.6% respectively and the median recurrence time of 15 (9 to 42) months. There were 25 recurrences in the thoracoscopy-laparoscopy group with 1- and 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of 81.7% and 67.9% respectively and the median recurrence time of 9 (3 to 42) months. There was significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the two groups (χ(2)=4.193, P=0.041). Conclusions: The robotic surgical system has good oncology effect and surgical safety in the radical operation of esophageal cancer, which deserves further research and promotion.

[Pulmonary extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma: clinical analysis of three cases].

Objective: To improve the understanding of pulmonary involvement of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) by analyzing the clinical manifestations, imaging and pathological features of this disease. Methods: Three cases of ENKTL, proven by pathological diagnosis in Fuzhou General Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, were retrospectively analyzed. Results: All of the 3 cases were males, aged 74, 61 and 49 years, respectively. The main clinical symptoms included cold and fever. One patient had nasal congestion and runny nose. Chest CT showed multiple lung nodules (n=3), masses (n=2) and patchy shadows (n=2), with irregular lesions and clear boundaries. The 3 cases had been misdiagnosed as community acquired pneumonia, and treated with intravenous injection of moxifloxacin. ENKTL was confirmed by CT-guided percutaneous biopsy with immunohistochemical staining, which showed that 3 cases were positive for CD(56), CD(2), in situ hybridization for EBV encoded RNA (EBER), while negative for CD(20), and 2 cases were positive for CD(3), Granzyme B; and 1 case was positive for T-cell intracytoplasmic antigen-1. All 3 patients received chemotherapy, but 2 patients died, one of rejection 1 month later after bone marrow transplantation. One patient had improved after chemotherapy with follow-up. Conclusion: ENKTL should be considered when patients presented with fever, multiple lung nodules or consolidations which were non-responsive to antibiotics. Lung biopsy was the key to diagnosis.

Comparison between tunneling and standard endoscopic submucosal dissection for treatment of large esophageal superficial neoplasm.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been established as a standard endoscopic method for treating esophageal superficial neoplasms, and it can be performed using a conventional or a tunneling method. The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of tunneling ESD (t-ESD) and standard ESD (s-ESD) for treating large esophageal superficial neoplasms and to explore the risk factors for postoperative strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive patients with large esophageal superficial neoplasms were treated by t-ESD or s-ESD. Demographics, lesion characteristics, procedure-related parameters, and follow-up results were retrospectively collected to compare the efficacy and safety of these procedures. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the potential risk factors for postoperative strictures. RESULTS: Of the 55 patients, 13 underwent t-ESD and 42 underwent s-ESD. The dissection speed of t-ESD was significantly faster than that of s-ESD (7.42±1.99 min/cm2 vs. 9.01±2.11 min/cm2, P<0.05). En bloc resection was achieved in 98.2% (54/55) of the cases, while R0 resection was achieved in 92.7% (51/55). Curative resection was achieved in 78.2% (43/55) of the cases. Fourteen patients (25.5%) had postoperative strictures, which resolved with endoscopic dilation and/or stent insertion. Circumferential involvement of >3/4 and lesion length of >3 cm were independent risk factors for strictures. CONCLUSIONS: T-ESD is a safe and effective method for treating large esophageal superficial neoplasms with a faster dissection speed than s-ESD, but postoperative strictures may be encountered for lesions involving more than three-fourths of the circumference or longer than 3 cm.

[Characteristics analysis of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo-spontaneously cured].

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo which were spontaneously cured. Method: A total of 1 257 patients with chief complaint of positional vertigo were included and analyzed retrospectively, in which 921 cases were diagnosed as BPPV with the diagnosis standard of Guiyang meeting, and the other 336 cases were negative in the positional test diagnosed as BPPV-spontaneously cured. The age，gender and history course of the two groups were analyzed respectively.Result:①Among the 1 257 cases of BPPV, 336 (111 male and 225 female) were diagnosed as BPPV-spontaneously cured, with total self remission rate of 26.7%. And the female self remission rate is lower than men slightly（25.9% vs 28.5%）.②The ratio of male to female was 1∶2 in patients with BPPV-spontaneously cured and 1∶2.3 in patients with BPPV. Patients of the two groups were mostly female, and there was no significant difference in gender distribution. ③There was no significant difference in age distribution between patients of BPPV-spontaneously cured and BPPV, and patients of ＞50-70 years old were common in both groups.④The history course of patients in BPPV-spontaneously cured and BPPV both were mostly within 2 weeks at their first visit to hospital,each accounting for 75.3% and 69.3%.But the ratio of patients with BPPV-spontaneously cured for 1-2 weeks was higher than that of the BPPV (20.5% vs 15.1%), and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion:Whether patients with BPPV can cure spontaneously is not related to age or gender, while women may have a tendency of lower self remission rate. The natural course of patients with BPPV-spontaneously cured is mostly within 2-4 weeks. The duration of natural course may be related to the type of semicircular canal involved.

[Etiological characteristics analysis of 3 137 outpatients with vertigo or dizziness in ENT department].

Objective: To analyze the etiological characteristics of patients in department of ENT with chief complaint of vertigo or dizziness in order to reduce the rate of misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. Method: A total of 3 137 patients in department of ENT with chief complaint of vertigo or dizziness from Sep 2015 to Sep 2017 were included and the etiologies were clarified retrospectively. And in which with any of the 8 kinds of disease including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV), vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraine (VM), Meiniére disease, recurrent vestibular disease, sudden deafness with vertigo, psychogenic vertigo, posterior circulation ischemia (PCI) together 2 138 patients were further stratified analyzed by gender and age. Result: ①Etiological characteristics of patients with vertigo or dizziness：among the 3 137 patients with vertigo or dizziness in ENT department in our hosipital, the peripheral diseases of vestibular were the most common disease with a total of 1 607 cases, accounting for 51.23%. And there were 506 cases of the central diseases of vestibular accounting for 16.13%, 382 cases of other systemic diseases accounting for 12.18%, 85 cases（2.71%）of psychogenic vertigo, 557 cases （17.76%）of unknown etiology. ②Analysis of the frequent and serious causing of patients with vertigo or dizziness: among the 2 138(68.15%) patients with vertigo or dizziness, BPPV with a total of 827 cases (26.36%) was the most prevalent,while 215(25.99%) of them were diagnosed as self-cured BPPV,vestibular neuritis and VM were the second prevalent with 420 cases (13.39%) and 329 cases (10.49%) respectively, Meiniére disease, recurrent vestibular disease, sudden deafness with vertigo were the third prevalent with 209 cases (6.66%), 144 cases (4.59%), 102 cases (3.25%), respectively; well psychogenic vertigo and PCI were relatively rare, with respectively 85 cases (2.71%) and 22 cases (0.70%). Eotiology analysis stratified by age: The causes of vertigo or dizziness were ranged with age, and patients of 50-70 years old were most common with a total of 1 011 cases, accounting for 49.6%. Etiology analysis stratified by gender: There was gender difference in patients with vertigo or dizziness,such as BPPV, VM, recurrent vestibular disease, sudden deafness with vertigo and psychogenic vertigo were common in female, while PCI in male insteadly. Conclusion: ①Among the patients with vertigo or dizziness, the pheripheral diseases of vestibular are the most prevalent, in which BPPV takes the highest accidence. ②Patients ranging from 50 to 70 years old take the main parts in patients with vertigo or dizziness. And there is an obvious gender difference in patients with BPPV, VM, recurrent vestibular disease, sudden deafness with vertigo, psychogenic vertigo and PCI.

[Analysis of risk factors for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) after operation for gastric cancer].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) after surgery for stomach cancer. Methods: A total of 684 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery for stomach cancer from Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2014 in Tai'an Tumor Prevention and Treatment Hospital, including 475 males and 209 females, with an average age of 59.9 years were identified and included in this study. There were 206 cases of gastric cardia and gastric fundus cancers and 478 cases of gastric antrum cancer. 206 cases underwent proximal radical subtotal gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection, 478 distal radical subtotal gastrectomy, 206 residual esophagogastric anastomosis, 311 Billroth-Ⅰ anastomosis, 99 Billroth-Ⅱ anastomosis, and 68 Billroth-Ⅱ plus Roux-en-y anastomosis. The incidence and risk factors of PGS were analyzed. Results: All of the 684 patients were successfully operated.Among them, 48 (7.0%)encountered PGS. The univariate analysis showed that age, smoking index, alcohol consumption index, HP infection, scores of anxiety, preoperative albumin level, preoperative pyloric obstruction, site of resection, mode of anastomosis, whether to preserve the vagus nerve trunk, perioperative blood glucose level, abdominal cavity infection, and usage of postoperative analgesia pump were related to the occurrence of PGS (P<0.05 for all), while sex, hypertension, diabetes, perioperative hemoglobin level, perioperative electrolyte imbalance, operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, size of gastric remnant and number of dissected lymph nodes were not significantly related to the occurrence of PGS(P>0.05 for all). The multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that age, HP infection, scores of anxiety, perioperative albumin level, preoperative pyloric obstruction, site of resection, mode of anastomosis, whether to preserve the vagus nerve trunk, perioperative blood glucose level and abdominal cavity infection were risk factors for PGS (P<0.05 for all); while the age (<67 years old), perioperative albumin level (>35 g/L) and preservation of the vagus nerve trunk were protective factors of PGS (P<0.05 for all). Conclusions: The occurrence of PGS is affected by many factors. Detailed evaluation of patients'symptoms and physical signs before operation and rectifying and eliminating risk factors are important to prevent and reduce the occurrence of PGS in patients with gastric cancer.

[Vestibular function tests for vestibular migraine: clinical implication of video head impulse and caloric tests].

Objective:To review the results of caloric test and the video head impulse test (vHIT) in a cohort of VM patients and assessed the value of each for predicting the prognosis in VM patients. Method:A retrospective analysis was performed on VM patients in our vertigo clinic, vestibular function were assessed by caloric test and vHIT at the initial visit and 6 months after treatment. Complete response (CR) was defined as no need for continued medication, uncomplete response (UR) as improved symptoms but need for continued medication, no symptomatic improvement. Result:At the initial evaluation, 15 of 75 (15.0%) exhibited abnormal caloric test results, 9 of 75 patients (12.0%) exhibited abnormal vHIT results. Six months later, 58 of 75 patients (77.3%) no longer required medication (CR), while 17 (22.7%）UR patients need for continued medication. The ratio of abnormal vHIT gain and abnormal caloric results were significantly different between group (CR) and group (UR) (P<0.05). Conclusion:Abnormal vHIT and caloric test results revealed semicircular canal dysfunction in VM patients, peripheral vestibular abnormalities are closely related to the development of vertigo in VM patients and predicted prolonged preventive medication and vestibular rehabilitation requirement.

[Different posterior decompression for patients with spinal canal stenosis in the upper thoracic and cervical spine].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively investigate the clinical manifestation of patients with spinal stenosis in the upper thoracic and cervical spine by posterior decompression in different ways. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2015, 18 patients of that complicated phenomenon were studied in Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University.Ten patients received one-stage combined decompression (group A); while the other 8 received multi-stage posterior decompression(group B). The Visual analogue scale (JOA), thoracic Cobb and range of motion(ROM) were compared. RESULT: No statistically significant inter-group difference existed in preoperative JOA score[(9.1±2.6)vs (9.1±2.2)]and postoperative JOA score[(15.4±1.2)vs(13.8±4.5)], but the mean recovery rate of nerve function of group A(79%±15%)is better than that of group B(69%±34%). CONCLUSION: All the approaches are effective for the treatment of patients with spinal stenosis in the upper thoracic and cervical spine, while one-staged combined decompression was better than double-staged operation.

MicroRNA-154 functions as a tumor suppressor and directly targets HMGA2 in human non-small cell lung cancer.

MicroRNA-154 (miR-154) is dysregulated in some human malignancies and is correlated with tumor progression. However, its expression and function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Therefore, we explored the effects of miR-154 on NSCLC tumorigenesis and development. Using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we detected miR-154 expression in NSCLC cell lines and primary tumor tissues. The association between miR-154 expression and clinicopathological factors was investigated, and the effects of miR-154 on the biological behavior of NSCLC cells were examined. Ultimately, the potential regulatory effect of miR-154 on high-mobility group A2 protein (HMGA2) expression was confirmed. miR-154 was significantly downregulated in NSCLC cell lines and clinical specimens. Reduced miR-154 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, advanced TNM stage, and shorter overall survival. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that downregulation of miR-154 was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC. Overexpression of miR-154 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter assay identified HMGA2 as a direct target of miR-154. Our findings indicate that miR-154 may act as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC and would serve as a novel therapeutic agent for miR-based therapy.

[Significance of five symptoms scoring sheet in the clinical diagnosis of BPPV].

Objective:To identify the validity of five symptoms scoring sheet that based on the patients who are suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV), and explore its effects and significance in the clinical diagnosis of BPPV.Method:A total of 484 patients with vertigo were included. All the patients were firstly assessed with five symptoms scoring sheet(repeated transient vertigo or aggravating vertigo during looking up, bending, getting out of bed, rolling over in bed and quick head movements) before being confirmed by Dix-Hallpike test and rolling test. Evaluating the predictive ability of this scoring sheet in the diagnosis of BPPV with ROC analysis.Result:According to the ROC analysis , the sensitivity and specificity were 95.4% and 80.3% respectively when the score >7, and an area under receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC) was 0.923.Conclusion:Five symptoms scoring sheet is useful and convenient in diagnosing BPPV, which can be used in BPPV screening and guide the vertigo patients to receive further test and treatment.

[Flunarizine in the prophylaxis of vestibular migraine:a randomized controlled trial].

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of flunarizine in patients with vestibular migraine（VM）as a prophylactic medication. Method:This randomized control trial was undertaken in patients with definite VM. Behavior changes were advocated to all the patients to avoide certain foods and beverages, as well as changes in lifestyle and habits.Patients in arm A received 10-mg flunarizine daily for 3 months along with betahistine 12 mg Tid for 48 h during episodes, and arm B received only betahistine for 48 h during episodes. Frequency. duration and intensity of vertiginous episodes and the main sideeffects were noted at the start of the study and at the end of 3 months.Result:A total of 23 patients who were diagnosed with definitive migrainous vertigo completed the study. The frequency,duration and intensity of vertiginous episodes showed a significan improvement in both group(P <0.05).Analysis of the frequency, duration and intensity between arm A and arm B showed that frequency improved to a significant degree(P <0.05),but the duration and intensity of vertigo between the two groups did not improve to a significant degree(P >0.05). Severe adverse events were not found. Conclusion:Flunarizine is safe and effective for the prophylaxis treatment of VM.

[Bilateral laryngocele:a case report].

A 71 years old male with throat discomfort, shortness of breath, irritating cough admission. Fiberoptic laryngoscope: bilateral glottis ventricular zone with about quail egg size smooth cystic masses. Throat enhanced CT: infrahyoid margin level about bilateral aryepiglottic fold inside have package containing gas shadow, communicated with the laryngeal chamber. Support laryngoscope under coblation radiofrequency ablation assisted laryngeal cyst excision were done and postoperative pathology consistent with laryngocele.

A novel frameshift deletion in the COL1A1 gene identified in a Chinese family with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by abnormal bone fragility, blue sclera, deafness, joint laxity, and soft-tissue dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the genetic or molecular basis for OI type IA in a Chinese family. We evaluated the members of a family, in which six individuals are affected with increased bone fragility and blue sclera. Results of exome sequencing revealed a novel 1-bp deletion (c.2329delG, p.A777fs) in exon 33 of the COL1A1 gene in two affected individuals, but not in a control family member without OI. The variation co-segregated with the disease in all the OI patients but not in the unaffected family members. The mutation caused a frameshift alteration after codon 777, leading to premature termination of the COL1A1 protein. Thus, our findings identified a novel frameshift deletion c.2329delG (p.A777fs) in the COL1A1 gene, which is associated with OI type IA in a Chinese family.

Outcomes and patterns of secondary relapse in platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer: implications for tertiary cytoreductive surgery.

AIM: To evaluate the outcomes and patterns of patients with secondary relapsed ovarian cancer. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. The cases comprised 83 patients who underwent tertiary cytoreductive surgery (TCS) followed by chemotherapy, whereas the controls consisted of 76 patients who received chemotherapy alone. RESULTS: The median survival was 20 months in 159 patients. Patients with microscopic residual disease after TCS had a median survival of 32.9 months compared with 14.6 months in those with macroscopic residual disease [hazard ratio (HR), 2.82; P = 0.001) and 15.0 months in patients with chemotherapy alone (HR, 2.23; P = 0.001). When stratified by a progression-free interval (PFI) after secondary cytoreduction (SCR), TCS showed no benefit in patients with a PFI ≤12 months or a PFI >12 months compared with those with chemotherapy alone. TCS improved survival in patients with recurrent disease in the pelvis compared with those with recurrent disease in the middle or upper abdomen, with a median survival of 34.9 months and 14.6 months, respectively (HR, 2.94; P = 0.010). However, TCS was not a survival determinant by multivariate analysis. A multivariate analysis identified a PFI after SCR (≤12 mos vs. >12 mos; HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.29-4.24; P = 0.005), mesenteric lymph node metastasis at SCR (yes vs. no; HR, 4.18; 95% CI, 1.93-9.03; P < 0.001) and treatment arms at secondary relapse (chemotherapy alone vs. TCS; HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03-2.38; P = 0.037) as independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Limited survival benefit from tertiary cytoreductive surgery was observed in patients with platinum-sensitive secondary relapsed ovarian cancer.

Coronary heart disease and chronic periodontitis: is polymorphism of interleukin-6 gene the common risk factor in a Chinese population?

OBJECTIVES: Coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic periodontitis (CP) both are multifactorial chronic diseases and related to inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association among IL-6 gene polymorphisms, CP and CHD susceptibility in a Chinese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation was conducted as a case-control study involving 505 individuals: 113 patients with CHD and CP, 84 patients with CHD, 178 patients with CP and 130 control individuals. The polymorphisms of IL-6 gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Relationships between the distributions of the genotypes and risk factors were also assessed. RESULTS: Mutations at the loci -174 G/C, -597 G/A of IL-6 were rare in a Chinese population. No significant difference for IL-6-572C/G polymorphism was detected among moderate CP group, severe CP group and control (P = 0.312 and 0.481), significant differences were found between CHD groups and non-CHD groups (P ≤ 0.001). After adjustment for CHD risk factors, the G allele resulted in an increased risk (OR = 1.676-1.856), the GG/CG genotype was nearly two times higher risk compared to CC genotype (OR = 2.010-2.136). CONCLUSIONS: IL-6-572C/G polymorphism did not correlate with CP susceptibility, but might be a potential risk factor for CHD in a Chinese population.