In our pilot study of 59 individuals, IL-6 was inversely associated with percent-predicted FEV1 (mean percent-predicted FEV1 92.4% in the least exposed quartile and 69.8% in the most exposed) and percent-predicted FVC (mean percent-predicted FVC 86.9% in the least exposed quartile and 71.5% in the most exposed) in unadjusted models, and in models adjusted for either SCI level, history of doctor diagnosed COPD, cigarette smoking status, or BMI (multivariable models were not possible). Here, IL6 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.