Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17A in patients with traumatic bowel rupture and its clinical significance, particularly its correlation with inflammatory cytokines, preoperative severity, and postoperative prognosis. METHODS: A total of 104 patients with traumatic bowel rupture admitted to Ruian People's Hospital between February 2021 and June 2024 were included in this prospective observational study. All patients underwent standard surgical treatment for traumatic bowel rupture at our hospital. Serum levels of IL-17A, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein were measured at various time points using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical data and demographics were collected. Patients were followed up for 3 months post-discharge. RESULTS: The study found significantly higher levels of IL-17A and IL-6 in patients with an injury severity score (ISS) of ≥16 compared to those with an ISS of <16 (p < 0.05). Serum IL-17A levels were particularly elevated in patients with poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Of particular importance, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that serum IL-17A levels at 72 h post-surgery had predictive value for poor prognosis, with an area under the curve of 0.773, a cutoff value of 41.75 pg/mL, a sensitivity of 62.2%, and a specificity of 83.6%. Logistic regression analysis identified elevated IL-17 levels at 72 h post-surgery as a significant risk factor for poor prognosis (odds ratio = 1.273, 95% confidence interval: 1.115-1.453, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In summary, our study highlights the significant potential of serum IL-17A as a biomarker for predicting poor prognosis in patients with traumatic bowel rupture post-surgery, suggesting its utility in clinical assessment and potential as a therapeutic target.