Inflammation Markers in Individuals with History of Mental Health Crisis

Abstract

The association between temporary emotional states and systemic inflammation has never been studied. We measured the levels of systemic inflammation markers in the peripheral blood of individuals with history of mental health crisis. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen plasma level, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) serum level, and white blood cell count (WBCC) were measured for each individual during routine screening examinations. History of mental health crisis was self-reported. Individuals taking psychotropic agents were excluded. A total of 4,669 males and 2,576 females were included. One hundred forty-eight (2.0%) individuals (77 males and 71 females) reported a history of mental health crisis, and 7,097 (98.0%) individuals (4,592 males and 2,505 females) did not report a history of mental health crisis. After adjustment for multiple confounders which had been associated with elevated systemic inflammation markers, the levels of systemic inflammation markers were significantly higher among males with history of mental health crisis compared with males with no history of mental health crisis, including fibrinogen plasma levels (294+/-6.1 vs. 279+/-1.9 mg/dl, p=0.010), and WBCC (7.2+/-0.2 vs. 6.8+/-0.1 x 10(3) cells/dl, p=0.039). The levels of systemic inflammation markers were not significantly higher among females with history of mental health crisis compared with females with no history of mental health crisis. History of mental health crisis might be associated with systemic inflammation in males. This finding may be relevant to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in males.