Background: Polymorphisms in the interleukin 6 gene have been studied in various chronic diseases. Increased levels of IL-6 in humans have been associated with visceral fat accumulation and obesity. The aim of the work was to study interleukin-6 gene polymorphism in Egyptian obese patients.

Methods: A total of 100 people were enrolled in the study. They were divided into: Group A included 35 subjects of simple obesity, group B included 35 patients of complicated obesity, and group C included 30 healthy subjects. Laboratory investigations were done for all subjects including IL-6 gene snp rs1800796 polymorphism, uric acid, amylase, lipase, C reactive protein and lipid profile. Abdominal ultrasound was done to assess presence of fatty liver and/or fatty pancreas.

Results: Regarding the IL-6 gene polymorphism, there was no significant difference statistically between both obese groups, however there was a significant difference statistically among obese groups and healthy people. Employing an univariate regression; waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, uric acid, cholesterol, C reactive protein, GG allele of IL-6 (p<0.001), fatty liver and/or fatty pancreas (p<0.001) were statistically significant parameters for obesity. In multivariate analytical regression; uric acid (p=0.041), and the GG allele of IL-6 polymorphism (p=0.028) were statistically significant risk factors for obesity.

Conclusions: IL-6 gene snp rs1800796 polymorphism was associated with increased risk of obesity. The obesity traits were linked to G allele. Future studies on gene-environment interactions should be carried out to clarify the connection between the IL-6 polymorphism and obesity.