IL-6 expression is regulated by the interplay of several transcriptional and hormonal factors, including sex steroids and glucocorticoids. In late life IL-6 expression increases as a result from loss of the normally inhibiting sex steroids. IL-6 is one of several proinflammatory cytokines. It has been proposed that many chronic inflammatory diseases are the result of a dysregulation of IL-6 expression. In this work we demonstrate that increased IL-6 levels in elderly are associated with higher disability and mortality, also independently of age and comorbidity.