Kyle W Murdock1, Raymond P Stowe, M Kristen Peek, Savannah L Lawrence, Christopher P Fagundes. 1. From the Department of Psychology (Murdock, Lawrence, Fagundes), Rice University, Houston, Texas; Microgen Laboratories (Stowe), La Marque, Texas; Department of Preventative Medicine and Community Health (Peek), The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Symptoms Research (Fagundes), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; and Department of Psychiatry (Fagundes), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Exposure to major life stressors is associated with subsequent enhanced inflammation-related disease processes. Depressive symptoms exacerbate stress-induced inflammatory responses. Moreover, those who report a high degree of perceived health risk before being exposed to a major life stressor such as a disaster are at risk for poor health outcomes. The present study examined whether perceived health risk and depressive symptoms before a disaster were associated with postdisaster inflammation markers. METHODS: The sample included 124 participants (mean [standard deviation] age = 55 [16] years; 69% women). At a baseline visit, participants completed self-report measures of perceived health risk and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) in addition to a blood draw for the assessment of inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, and interleukin 6). All participants lived near a large petrochemical complex where an unexpected explosion occurred. A second blood sample was obtained 2 to 6 months after the explosion. RESULTS: No significant differences in inflammation markers were found between predisaster and postdisaster assessment (p > .21). An interaction between predisaster perceived health risk and depressive symptoms in predicting postdisaster circulating inflammation markers was identified (Cohen f = 0.051). Specifically, predisaster perceived health risk was associated with postdisaster circulating inflammation markers if predisaster depressive symptoms were greater than 8.10 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to our understanding of the complex interactions between stress, depression, and immune responses. Indeed, findings provide a potential mechanism (i.e., inflammation) explaining the association between exposure to major life stressors and negative mental and physical health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: Exposure to major life stressors is associated with subsequent enhanced inflammation-related disease processes. Depressive symptoms exacerbate stress-induced inflammatory responses. Moreover, those who report a high degree of perceived health risk before being exposed to a major life stressor such as a disaster are at risk for poor health outcomes. The present study examined whether perceived health risk and depressive symptoms before a disaster were associated with postdisaster inflammation markers. METHODS: The sample included 124 participants (mean [standard deviation] age = 55 [16] years; 69% women). At a baseline visit, participants completed self-report measures of perceived health risk and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) in addition to a blood draw for the assessment of inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, and interleukin 6). All participants lived near a large petrochemical complex where an unexpected explosion occurred. A second blood sample was obtained 2 to 6 months after the explosion. RESULTS: No significant differences in inflammation markers were found between predisaster and postdisaster assessment (p > .21). An interaction between predisaster perceived health risk and depressive symptoms in predicting postdisaster circulating inflammation markers was identified (Cohen f = 0.051). Specifically, predisaster perceived health risk was associated with postdisaster circulating inflammation markers if predisaster depressive symptoms were greater than 8.10 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to our understanding of the complex interactions between stress, depression, and immune responses. Indeed, findings provide a potential mechanism (i.e., inflammation) explaining the association between exposure to major life stressors and negative mental and physical health outcomes.
Authors: Aoife O'Donovan; Matthew S Pantell; Eli Puterman; Firdaus S Dhabhar; Elizabeth H Blackburn; Kristine Yaffe; Richard M Cawthon; Patricia L Opresko; Wen-Chi Hsueh; Suzanne Satterfield; Anne B Newman; Hilsa N Ayonayon; Susan M Rubin; Tamara B Harris; Elissa S Epel Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-05-13 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: James E Cone; Cheryl R Stein; David J Lee; Gregory A Flamme; Jennifer Brite Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-12 Impact factor: 3.390