Browsing by Subject "sytokiini"

Goals. Inflammation has been found to be associated with psychological symptoms. Especially in regard to depression, there is broad evidence that depressed people have higher levels of inflammation. Higher inflammation has also been linked to poorer response to SSRI-medication. Anxiety has been found to have stronger association to experienced pain than depression and in earlier studies references to an independent association between anxiety and inflammation has emerged. The purpose of this study was to explore if a connection between anxiety and inflammation can be found and what factors are possibly contributing to that connection. Goal was to find factors that can help maintain and improve individual's quality of life and ability to work. Methods. Data used in this study belonged to the biomarker project (project 4), which was part of the second stage of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) longitudinal study. The mean age of participants was 57.32 (sd. 11.55) years. As a measure of inflammation serum levels of cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) were collected from the blood of participants. Anxiety was measured by Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The association between anxiety and inflammation was explored by a linear regression analysis. Sociodemographic factors and also a broad range of other factors related to inflammation and anxiety were controlled in the models. In addition the possible moderating role of inner self-control was studied by a hierarchical linear regression analysis. The sub factor cognition control of the self-control scale was used as a measure of inner self-control. Results and conclusions. When inflammation was predicted only by anxiety, anxiety was a statistically significant predictor and this association remained significant after sociodemographic factors were controlled. When broad range of other controlled variables was included in the model a connection between anxiety and inflammation could not be found. It seems that the association between anxiety and inflammation is mainly due to other factors. Especially the amount of chronic conditions attenuated the association. Inner self-control did not have a statistically significant effect to the connection between anxiety and inflammation. The best predictor for inflammation in this study was body mass index and also other health behavior related factors had a significant role. In regard to the wellbeing of an individual and individual's ability to work, weight control and healthy lifestyle choices are crucial.