IL6 and alcohol dependence: In univariate analysis of variables at baseline, active alcoholism (p = 0.002), model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (p = 0.00002), serum IL-6 concentration (p = 0.006), heart rate (p = 0.03), and maximal portal venous flow (p = 0.008) were positively associated with hepatic decompensation, whereas systolic blood pressure (p = 0.02), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.04), and hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.00001) were inversely associated with the risk of hepatic decompensation during follow-up (Table 2).