Some studies found no association between age and systemic inflammatory mediators,21,22 whereas others reported a marked increase in inflammatory cytokines; in particular, interleukin-1 (IL1), IL6 and tumour necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α) levels were higher in older than in younger patients.23,24 We used clinical parameters but not markers of inflammation to evaluate the effects of age on SIRS. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.