Table 2.

Before and after 14 days of treatment, serum interleukin-6 levels in each group were correlated with Likert Scale score.

Likert scale score (point)	0‒40	40‒70	≥70	p
On admission
Patient (case)	80	40	40
Serum IL6 level (pg/mL)	3.27 ± 1.02	6.65 ± 2.25	10.41 ± 4.97	< 0.05
Serum IL6 ≥ 4.95 pg/mL (case)	4 (5%)	29 (72.5%)	37(92.5%)
14 days after treatment
Patient (case)	98	47	15
Serum IL6 level (pg/mL)	3.18 ± 1.13	4.32 ± 1.72	7.01 ± 2.02	< 0.05
Serum IL6 ≥ 4.95 pg/mL (case)	0	10 (21.3%)	14 (93.3%)

Patients with a Likert scale score of more than 70 points were defined as having severe PHN.

Others with a Likert scale of more than 40 points were defined as mild PHN.

The cut-off value of serum IL6 levels for PHN was 4.95 pg/mL.