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

Authors: Harrington L , Affleck G , Urrows S , Tennen H , Higgins P , Zautra A , Hoffman S
Affiliations:
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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