Raised systemic levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 cytokines have been associated with poorer outcome in community-acquired pneumonia. The aim of our study was to identify potential associated factors with increased levels of IL-6, IL-10, or both cytokines.We performed a prospective study of 685 patients admitted to hospital with communityacquired pneumonia. IL-6 and IL-10 were measured in blood in the first 24 h.30-day mortality increased from 4.8% to 11.4% (p50.003) when both cytokines were higher than the median. Independent associated factors with an excess of IL-6 were neurologic disease, confusion, serum sodium ,130 mEq?L -1 , pleural effusion, and bacteraemia. The associated factors for an excess of IL-10 were respiratory rate o30 breaths?min -1, systolic blood pressure ,90 mmHg and glycaemia o250 mg?dL -1 . The independent associated factors for an excess of both cytokines were confusion, systolic blood pressure ,90 mmHg, pleural effusion and bacteraemia. Protective factors were prior antibiotic treatment and pneumococcal vaccination.Different independent factors are related to an excess of IL-6 and IL-10. Confusion, hypotension, pleural effusion and bacteraemia were associated with the inflammatory profile with the highest mortality rate, whereas anti-pneumococcal vaccination and previous antibiotic treatment appeared to be protective factors.