Background/Aim: Obesity is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation and may contribute to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate the association between raised serum IL-6 levels and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in obese adults.
Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 134 adults aged 18–50 years who were recruited between December 2024 and February 2026. Participants were divided into an obese group (n = 67) and a normal-weight control group (n = 67). Clinical assessment, anthropometric measurements, serum IL-6 determination, and transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function were performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DD.
Results: DD was more prevalent among obese participants than controls (35.8% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.001). Median serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in obese individuals than controls (6.9 vs. 1.2 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and in obese participants with DD than in those without DD (11.4 vs. 5.6 pg/mL, p < 0.001). In a limited two-variable logistic regression model, body mass index (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.06–2.42; p = 0.02) and log-transformed IL-6 levels (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.05–2.23; p = 0.03) remained mutually associated with DD. Exploratory ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.812 for IL-6.
Conclusion: Obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of DD. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in obese participants and remained associated with DD after mutual adjustment for body mass index in the limited two-variable model.