@article{ref1,
title="An evaluation of perceived health risk and depressive symptoms prior to a disaster in predicting post-disaster inflammation",
journal="Psychosomatic medicine",
year="2018",
author="Murdock, Kyle W. and Stowe, Raymond P. and Peek, M. Kristen and Lawrence, Savannah L. and Fagundes, Christopher P.",
volume="80",
number="1",
pages="49-54",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Exposure to major life stressors is associated with subsequent enhanced inflammation-related disease processes. Depressive symptoms exacerbate stress-induced inflammatory responses. Moreover, those who report a high degree of perceived health risk prior to being exposed to a major life stressor such as a disaster are at risk of poor health outcomes. The present study examined whether perceived health risk and depressive symptoms prior to a disaster were associated with post-disaster inflammation markers. <br><br>METHODS: The sample included 124 participants (mean age 55 (SD=16) years; 69% women). At a baseline visit, participants completed self-report measures of perceived health risk and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; CES-D) in addition to a blood draw for the assessment of inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, and interleukin-6). All participants lived near a large petrochemical complex where an unexpected explosion occurred. A second blood sample was obtained two to six months after the explosion. <br><br>RESULTS: No significant differences in inflammation markers were found between pre- and post-disaster assessments (p >.21). An interaction between pre-disaster perceived health risk and depressive symptoms in predicting post-disaster circulating inflammation markers was identified (Cohen's f =.051). Specifically, pre-disaster perceived health risk was associated with post-disaster circulating inflammation markers if pre-disaster depressive symptoms were greater than 8.10 on the CES-D. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to our understanding of the complex interactions between stress, depression, and immune responses. Indeed, findings provide a potential mechanism (i.e., inflammation) explaining the association between exposure to major life stressors and negative mental and physical health outcomes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-3174",
doi="10.1097/PSY.0000000000000514",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000514"
}