The levels of sIL-6R were significantly greater in COPD patients (median 166.4 pg/ml) compared to than S (median 101.1 pg/ml, p < 0.05), although the difference compared to HNS did not reach statistical significance (median 96.4 pg/ml, p = 0.10). The gene discussed is IL6R; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.