In previous studies with SLE patients, the inflammatory activity was demonstrated to be associated with clinical disease activity of SLE; the markers of inflammation (the erythrocyte sedimentation rate: ESR)9,10 and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6)11 were associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. Here, IL6 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.