IL6 and Sepsis: However, systemic inflammation can give rise to increased pain sensitivity, probably because of the effect of proinflammatory cytokines directly sensitizing peripheral pain pathways.37 We have shown in another cohort study of patients with MM in remission that pain level as measured by BPI-SF was correlated with circulating interleukin-6.38 In sASCT, the increased risk of systemic inflammation, including sepsis, could condition patients with existing neural damage to express more pain.