C-reactive protein and substance use disorders in adolescence and early adulthood: A prospective analysis

Abstract

Background Dysregulated immune function and elevated inflammation markers are seen in adults with chronic diseases, including some psychiatric disorders, but evidence on inflammation in the case of drug abuse is conflicting. Objective To test the concurrent and predictive relations between C-reactive protein (CRP) and use and abuse of alcohol, nicotine and cannabis in a longitudinal, population sample of adolescents and young adults, at the period of highest increase in drug use. Methods Data from the prospective population-based Great Smoky Mountains Study (N = 1,420) were used, covering children in the community assessed at ages 9–16, 19, and 21. Structured interviews were used to assess substance abuse symptoms and DSM-IV substance use disorders. Bloodspots were collected at each assessment and assayed for CRP. Results CRP levels were higher in the presence of nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use and nicotine dependence. In prospective analyses, higher CRP levels predicted cannabis use and nicotine dependence, and nicotine use predicted higher CRP levels, once covariates were included in the models. Significant covariates were age, race (American Indian), and obesity. Conclusions The inter-relationship of CRP and substance abuse has implications for the later health risks associated with early drug and alcohol use and abuse.

Associations between mood, anxiety or substance use disorders and inflammatory markers after adjustment for multiple covariates in a population-based study

“…The association between SUD and an increased hsCRP level remained significant in men even after multiple adjustments, which is in line with previous findings regarding increased levels of inflammation markers in alcoholics (Achur et al, 2010) and subjects with cannabis abuse or dependence (Costello et al, 2013). In drinkers, the increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines has been shown to be associated with chronic and acute alcoholinduced lever diseases, but also with a significant increase in spontaneous cytokine production (Achur et al, 2010).…”

“…Similarly, chronic exposure to drugs may favor cytokine expression in the brain (Yamada, 2008). Conversely, as suggested by the prospective community study of Costello et al (Costello et al, 2013) a high CRP level is also a predictor of SUD.…”

“…Concerning substance use disorders (SUD), our group previously reported an association between moderate alcohol consumption and lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-a (Marques-Vidal et al, 2012c), whereas a recent review concluded that the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are increased in patients suffering from chronic alcoholism (Achur et al, 2010). Among the very few studies that examined the role of other SUD, Costello et al (Costello et al, 2013) showed a prospective positive association between the CRP level and any substance abuse or dependence in the community and Nabati et al (Nabati et al, 2013) found some elevated cytokines in opium addicts (e.g. Il-6) whereas others were diminished.…”

Associations Between Cannabis Use and Physical Health Problems in Early Midlife

“…26,36,51 Tobacco’s effect on periodontal disease is thought to be mediated through increased inflammation and vasoconstriction, 51 which may or may not be the case for cannabis. Cannabis use was not associated with systemic inflammation here or elsewhere, 30,39 but prior research has shown that cannabis can induce vasoconstriction. 52,53 …”

Cannabis smoking and serum C-reactive protein: A quantile regressions approach based on NHANES 2005–2010

“…There has been little epidemiological research on this interesting topic (Costello et al, 2013; Keen et al, 2014; Muniyappa et al, 2013). Due to the large nationally representative sampling and strong CRP assays, of most importance might be recent work based on the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data gathered between 1988 and 1994 (US NHANES, 1988–1994), completed by Rajavashisth and colleagues (2012).…”