Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies reported seasonal differences in gene expression in white blood cells, adipose tissue, and inflammatory biomarkers of the immune system. There is no data on the seasonal variations of these biomarkers in the US general population of both children and adults. Then aim of this study is to explore the seasonal trends in complete blood count (CBC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large non-institutionalized US population.MethodsSeven cross-sectional data collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 1999–2012 were aggregated; participants reporting recent use of prescribed steroids, chemotherapy, immunomodulators and antibiotics were excluded. Linear regression models were used to compare levels of CBC and CRP between winter-spring (November-April) and summer-fall (May-October), adjusting for demographics, personal behavioral factors, and chronic disease conditions.ResultsA total of 27,478 children and 36,644 adults (≥18 years) were included in the study. Levels of neutrophils, white blood cell count (WBC), and CRP were higher in winter-spring than summer-fall (p≤0.05). Red blood cell components were lower in winter-spring than in summer-fall, while the opposite was seen for platelets.ConclusionsThis large population-based study found notable seasonal variations in blood cell composition and inflammatory biomarkers, with a more pro-inflammatory immune system seen in winter-spring than summer-fall. The red blood cell patterns could have implications for the observed cardio-vascular seasonality.
Highlights
Seasonal patterns in human health, such as seasonal affective disorder [1], arthritis [2], blood pressure [3], as well as cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality [4,5,6,7] have been recognized for a long time
White blood cell count (WBC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were higher in winter-spring than summer-fall (p0.05)
This large population-based study found notable seasonal variations in blood cell composition and inflammatory biomarkers, with a more pro-inflammatory immune system seen in winter-spring than summer-fall
Summary
Seasonal patterns in human health, such as seasonal affective disorder [1], arthritis [2], blood pressure [3], as well as cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality [4,5,6,7] have been recognized for a long time. While the molecular and cellular mechanism for these seasonal variations are not clear, recent studies suggest that gene expression periodicity in white blood cells (WBC), adipose tissue, and inflammatory biomarkers of the immune system [8,9,10] could be one of the underlying explanations. Both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies have suggested seasonal variations in blood cellular component and inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive proteins (CRP) in family studies [10], patients populations [8,10], or in occupational setting [11]. Aim of this study is to explore the seasonal trends in complete blood count (CBC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large non-institutionalized US population
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