Socioeconomic status and inflammation: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Biomedical Science
• Social Epidemiology

Background:

• Socioeconomic status (SES) is a known determinant of disease morbidity and psychopathology.
• Biological mechanisms linking lower SES to adverse health outcomes are under investigation.
• Systemic inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), are frequently studied in relation to SES.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and systemic inflammatory markers.
• To synthesize findings from multiple studies using meta-analytic techniques.
• To explore potential moderators influencing the SES-inflammation relationship.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed and PsycINFO.
• Included were peer-reviewed, empirical studies on SES and CRP or IL-6 in non-patient populations.
• Meta-analyses were performed on data from 43 papers (N=111,156) yielding 63 effect sizes.

Main Results:

• A significant positive association was found between lower SES and elevated levels of both CRP (Z=0.12) and IL-6 (Z=0.15).
• Subanalyses confirmed significant links when SES was defined by income or education.
• Moderator analyses indicated variability in effect sizes based on study characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Lower SES is robustly associated with increased systemic inflammation, indicating elevated disease risk.
• Pro-inflammatory pathways represent a crucial mechanism mediating socioeconomic disparities in health.
• Findings underscore the biological impact of socioeconomic inequalities on physical and mental well-being.