Ji Hyun Baek1, Hyewon Lee2, Woojae Myung3, Ho Kim4, Yoon-Ho Choi5, Doh Kwan Kim1, Kyung Sue Hong1, Hong Choi6. 1. Dept. of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Dept. of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyunggi-do, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Dept. of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyunggi-do, Republic of Korea. 4. Dept. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 5. Health Promotion Center, Samsung Medical Center Sungkyunkwan University School of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. Dept. of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Center for Health Promotion, Samsung Medical Center Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hpsy.choi@samsung.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the association between low-grade inflammation measured using multiple common inflammatory markers and general psychological distress symptoms. METHOD: A total of 68,463 Korean adults were included. White blood cell counts with differential count, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and rheumatoid factor were measured. General psychological distress symptoms were assessed using 18 questions of psychosocial well-being index short form (PWI-SF). RESULTS: Among the eight inflammatory markers measured, WBC count, segmented neutrophil count, monocyte and CRP level were significantly and independently associated with broad psychological symptoms. In contrast, fibrinogen and ferritin showed a weak association with limited number of items. No significant association was detected with lymphocyte and RF. CONCLUSION: General psychological distress symptoms were associated with multiple inflammatory markers in Korean adults. The association patterns differed by the types of inflammatory markers. Additional investigation into the relationship between general inflammatory markers and diverse psychological distress symptoms is warranted.
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the association between low-grade inflammation measured using multiple common inflammatory markers and general psychological distress symptoms. METHOD: A total of 68,463 Korean adults were included. White blood cell counts with differential count, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and rheumatoid factor were measured. General psychological distress symptoms were assessed using 18 questions of psychosocial well-being index short form (PWI-SF). RESULTS: Among the eight inflammatory markers measured, WBC count, segmented neutrophil count, monocyte and CRP level were significantly and independently associated with broad psychological symptoms. In contrast, fibrinogen and ferritin showed a weak association with limited number of items. No significant association was detected with lymphocyte and RF. CONCLUSION: General psychological distress symptoms were associated with multiple inflammatory markers in Korean adults. The association patterns differed by the types of inflammatory markers. Additional investigation into the relationship between general inflammatory markers and diverse psychological distress symptoms is warranted.