TNF and Sepsis: Sepsis was independently associated with higher serum IL-18 and TNF levels in two-time-point GEE models (before and at the end of SBT) adjusted for APACHE II score and age, with beta coefficients (95% CI, p values) as follows: IL-18 388 (53—723, p = 0.023), and TNF 32 (0.3—64, p = 0.048).