TitleDaily positive events and inflammation: findings from the National Study of Daily Experiences.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsSin, NL, Graham-Engeland, JE, Almeida, DM
JournalBrain Behav Immun
Volume43
Pagination130-8
Date Published2015 Jan
ISSN1090-2139
KeywordsAdult, Affect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomarkers, C-Reactive Protein, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Fibrinogen, Health Surveys, Humans, Inflammation, Interleukin-6, Male, Middle Aged, United States
Abstract

<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Inflammation is implicated in the development of chronic diseases and increases the risk of mortality. People who experience more daily stressors than others have higher levels of inflammation, but it is unknown whether daily positive events are linked to inflammation.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE: </b>To examine the association of daily positive events with 3 inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen.</p><p><b>METHOD: </b>A cross-sectional sample of 969 adults aged 35-86 from the Midlife in the United States Study completed telephone interviews for 8 consecutive evenings. Participants reported positive experiences that occurred over the past 24h. Blood samples were obtained at a separate clinic visit and later assayed for inflammatory markers. Regression analyses evaluated the frequency of daily positive events (defined as the percent of study days with at least 1 positive event) as a predictor of each inflammatory marker. Covariates included information on demographics, physical health, depressive symptoms, dispositional and behavioral factors, and daily positive and negative affect.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>On average, participants experienced positive events on 73% of days (SD=27%). The frequency of daily positive events was associated with lower IL-6 (p<0.001) and CRP (p=0.02) in the overall sample, and lower fibrinogen among women (p=0.01). The association remained for IL-6 in the fully adjusted model, but was no longer significant for CRP and fibrinogen after controlling for household income and race. Effects were more pronounced for participants in the lowest quartile of positive event frequency than for those in the top 3 quartiles, suggesting that lack of positivity in daily life may be particularly consequential for inflammation. Furthermore, interpersonal positive events were more predictive of lower IL-6 overall and lower fibrinogen in women than non-interpersonal positive events.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>Daily positive events may serve a protective role against inflammation.</p>

DOI10.1016/j.bbi.2014.07.015
Alternate JournalBrain Behav Immun
PubMed ID25102453
PubMed Central IDPMC4258510
Grant ListP01-AG020166 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR000427 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
M01 RR000865 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
UL1 RR025011 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
1UL1RR025011 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
M01 RR023942 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
P01 AG020166 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG047154 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
M01-RR00865 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States