Temporal covariation of soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels, daily stress, and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Authors: Harrington L (1) , Affleck G (2) , Urrows S (3) , Tennen H (2) , Higgins P (2) , Zautra A (4) , Hoffman S (1)
Affiliations:
(1) Department of Microbiology, Arizona State University (2) Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine (3) Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine (4) Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
Source: Arthritis Rheum. 1993 Feb;36(2):199-203
DOI: 10.1002/art.1780360209 Publication date: 1993 Feb E-Publication date: April 30, 2012 Availability: abstract Copyright: © 1993 American College of Rheumatology
Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Glenn Affleck PhD : University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030

Keywords

Article abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine synchronous changes in soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels, daily indicators of emotional stress, joint inflammation, and reported pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS:

Fourteen patients were studied on each of 6 occasions, 2 weeks apart. Measures included daily ratings of mood disturbance, undesirable events, and joint pain; clinical examination of joint swelling; and serum assays of sIL-2R. Pooled within-person correlations among these variables were calculated.

RESULTS:

Consistent with the results of previous research, joint inflammation covaried directly with sIL-2R levels. Changes in mood disturbance were unrelated to changes in joint inflammation, but increases in mood disturbance were linked with decreases in sIL-2R levels and increases in reported joint pain.

CONCLUSION:

These findings provide preliminary evidence that psychoimmune processes may be implicated in short-term changes in RA disease activity.

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