PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München

Häfner, S. ; Emeny, R.T. ; Lacruz, M.E. ; Baumert, J.J. ; Herder, C.* ; Koenig, W.* ; Thorand, B. ; Ladwig, K.-H. ; KORA Study Group (*)

Association between social isolation and inflammatory markers in depressed and non-depressed individuals: Results from the MONICA/KORA study.

Brain Behav. Immun. 25, 1701-1707 (2011)
DOI PMC
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
INTRODUCTION: Depressed individuals not only suffer from chronic low grade inflammation, but also exhibit an inflammatory hyper-responsiveness to acute stress. We investigate whether chronic stress also induces an exaggerated inflammatory response in individuals with increased depression features. As model for chronic stress, social isolation was chosen. METHODS: Interleukin (IL)-6 and hs-CRP levels were assessed in 1547 subjects (847 men and 700 women), derived from the population-based MONICA/KORA study. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess depressed mood (depression and exhaustion subscale) and social isolation (social network index). The relationship between the two inflammatory markers, social isolation and depressed mood was examined taking into account interactions social isolation × depressed mood using multivariable linear regression models, adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, alcohol, and physical activity. Analyses were performed in men and women separately. RESULTS: We observed a significant interaction between depressed mood and social isolation regarding IL-6 and hs-CRP, respectively in men (p-value=0.02 for IL-6 and <0.01 for hs-CRP), evidencing a substantial synergistic effect of social isolation, and depressed mood on inflammatory responses. Furthermore, depressed and socially isolated men had highly significantly elevated IL-6 levels (geometric mean: 3.76 vs. 1.92 pg/ml, p-value <0.01) and heightened hs-CRP levels (geometric mean: 2.01 vs. 1.39 mg/l, p=0.08) in comparison with non-depressed and socially integrated men. In women, no significant associations were seen. CONCLUSION: The interaction of depressed mood and social isolation elicits a substantial synergistic impact on inflammatory markers in men, but not in depressed women.
Altmetric
Additional Metrics?
[➜Log in]
Edit extra informations Login
Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Depressed mood; Social isolation; CRP; IL-6; Men; Inflammatory response; Combination of depressed mood and social isolation
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0889-1591
e-ISSN 1090-2139
Journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity
Quellenangaben Volume: 25, Issue: 8, Pages: 1701-1707 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Elsevier
Publishing Place Amsterdam [u.a.]
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Epidemiology II (EPI2)