Peripheral inflammatory cytokines and immune balance in Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Case-controlled study

Abstract

Introduction-Previous investigations have demonstrated that major depression is associated with particular patterns of cytokine signalling. The primary aim of this study was to examine peripheral pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and immune balance in generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).Methods-A case-controlled cross-sectional study design was employed: 54 patients with GAD and 64 healthy controls were recruited. Participants completed self-report measures of anxiety and depression. Two pro-inflammatory and two anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured using multiplex technology.Results-Case-control logistic regression analyses revealed significant differences in serum levels of IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ between GAD and control groups after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption: these group differences were independent of the presence or degree of depression. Comparison of pro-inflammatory to antiinflammatory cytokine ratios indicated that there were significantly higher ratios of TNF-α /IL10, TNF-α /IL4, IFN-γ /IL10, and IFN-γ /IL4 in the GAD group compared to the control group.Conclusions-This study is the first to investigate both pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their balance in patients with GAD in comparison to healthy controls. The findings indicate a relatively increased pro-inflammatory response and decreased anti-inflammatory response and Europe PMC Funders Group Europe PMC Funders Author ManuscriptsEurope PMC Funders Author Manuscripts provide the first demonstration of an altered cytokine balance in GAD. Serum cytokine levels in GAD were independent of the presence of depression.

The association between anxiety, traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorders and chronic inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Although depression has been studied more widely in relation to inflammation (Dowlati et al, 2010;Schiepers, Wichers, & Maes, 2005), it is important to understand if the anticipatory-based state of anxiety may produce dysregulated inflammatory responses (or vice versa) and put an individual at an increased risk of experiencing long-term negative health consequences. Further, these findings support several other studies that highlight the potential for trait anxiety to be associated with a dysregulated immune response (Hou et al, 2017;O'Donovan et al, 2010). The findings of the current meta-analysis are somewhat contrasting to a previous meta-analysis of OCD and inflammation, which identified depression moderating the relationship between OCD and TNF- (Gray & Bloch, 2012).…”

The incidence of depression and anxiety in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A number of biologic mechanisms may explain this increased risk and evidence suggests that the inflammatory nature of AS could be closely tied to depression and anxiety. As observed in patients with AS [27], individuals with depression and anxiety have also been shown to have elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 [28,29].…”

“…In their 2016 study on the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with rheumatic diseases (n = 514) including 44 with AS, Anyfanti et al also assessed treatment of psychiatric complications and reported considerable under-treatment with less than 10% of AS patients receiving an antidepressant or antianxiolytic [32]. Finally, given the potential role of inflammation in the relationship between AS and depression [27][28][29], treatments for AS, particularly antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents, may also impact depression as suggested in prior clinical study [33].…”

The incidence of depression and anxiety in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A number of biologic mechanisms may explain this increased risk and evidence suggests that the inflammatory nature of AS could be closely tied to depression and anxiety. As observed in patients with AS (27), individuals with depression and anxiety have also been shown to have elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 (28,29).…”