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Psychosocial factors and inflammation in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

Nalini Ranjit1, Ana V Diez-Roux, Steven Shea

  • 1Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48104, USA. nranjit@umich.edu

Archives of Internal Medicine
|January 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Psychosocial factors like cynical distrust, chronic stress, and depression are linked to higher inflammation markers. Body mass index (BMI), behaviors, and diabetes appear to mediate these associations in adults.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular disease research
  • Psychosocial epidemiology
  • Inflammation and chronic disease

Background:

  • Psychosocial factors are implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and progression.
  • The precise pathological mechanisms linking psychosocial factors to CVD remain unclear.
  • This study investigates the role of inflammatory markers as a potential link.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the associations between psychosocial risk factors and inflammatory markers in healthy adults.
  • To assess the mediating roles of behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes mellitus in these associations.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (6814 participants, aged 45-84).
  • Regression analyses assessed associations of cynical distrust, chronic stress, and depression with serum levels of C-reactive protein, IL-6, and fibrinogen.
  • Adjustments were made for socioeconomic position, behaviors, BMI, and diabetes.

Main Results:

  • Higher cynical distrust, chronic stress, and depression were associated with elevated inflammatory markers (IL-6, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen).
  • Associations were partially mediated by behavioral factors, BMI, and diabetes, with BMI having a substantial effect.
  • No significant associations remained after controlling for all covariates.

Conclusions:

  • Psychosocial factors are linked to increased inflammatory markers, particularly cynical distrust.
  • BMI, behaviors, and diabetes mellitus play a mediating role in the relationship between psychosocial factors and inflammation.
  • These findings highlight potential pathways through which psychosocial well-being influences cardiovascular health.
Abstract

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