Akinori Nakata1, Masahiro Irie, Masaya Takahashi. 1. Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA. nakataatky@umin.ac.jp
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Although fatigue is a common complaint in the working population, underlying immunological mechanisms are not well understood. This study investigated the association of general fatigue with cellular immune indicators. METHODS: A total of 148 healthy white-collar employees (70% men) underwent a blood draw for the measurement of natural killer (NK), B, and T cell counts as well as NK cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) and completed two different fatigue scales, that is, Profile of Mood State (POMS) and Maastricht Questionnaire (MQ). RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that POMS fatigue score was significantly associated with decreases of NK cells (β = -.407) and NKCC (β = -.215), whereas MQ fatigue score was significantly associated with reduced NK cells (β = -.290) but not with NKCC (β = -.127). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that general fatigue may be related to impaired NK cell competency among healthy employees. (C)2011The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
OBJECTIVE: Although fatigue is a common complaint in the working population, underlying immunological mechanisms are not well understood. This study investigated the association of general fatigue with cellular immune indicators. METHODS: A total of 148 healthy white-collar employees (70% men) underwent a blood draw for the measurement of natural killer (NK), B, and T cell counts as well as NK cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) and completed two different fatigue scales, that is, Profile of Mood State (POMS) and Maastricht Questionnaire (MQ). RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that POMS fatigue score was significantly associated with decreases of NK cells (β = -.407) and NKCC (β = -.215), whereas MQ fatigue score was significantly associated with reduced NK cells (β = -.290) but not with NKCC (β = -.127). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that general fatigue may be related to impaired NK cell competency among healthy employees. (C)2011The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine