Cytokine levels in sputum of patients with tracheostomy and profound multiple disabilities

Background. Airway immunopathogenesis is unclear in patients with profound multiple disabilities (PMD) who undergo tracheostomy. Methods. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70 cytokines were determined in sputum of 28 patients with PMD who underwent tracheostomy and in 14 healthy subjects, using a cytometric bead array. Results. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in the patients were significantly higher than those in controls (p < 0.001). IL-6, and IL-8 levels in eight PMD patients in the febrile period were significantly higher than those in the afebrile period (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Serum CRP levels were slightly elevated in 12 of the 28 patients (43%) in the afebrile period, but there were no significant differences in the level of any cytokine between patients with normal and elevated serum CRP. Conclusion. PMD patients with tracheostomy have chronic airway inflammation.