Facial pain, distress, and immune function.
Chronic facial pain syndromes are associated with high levels of distress and depression. Immune system measures were investigated in otherwise healthy patients suffering from chronic temporomandibular pain and dysfunction syndrome (TMPDS) and in matched controls. No mean differences were found between TMPDS patients and the controls on any of the immune measures; however, both ConA and PWM responses in TMPDS patients were decreased in relation to the level of demoralization (P less than 0.05). Cognitive symptoms such as low self-esteem and perceptions of helplessness/hopelessness were implicated in these effects. In addition, among patients pain severity was independently associated with decreased ConA response (P less than 0.05). The data suggest possible correlates of stress-induced changes in the immune system.
Marbach
J J
JJ
Division of Sociomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032.
Schleifer
S J
SJ
Keller
S E
SE
D000328:Adult; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008875:Middle Aged; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology
D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D003208:Concanavalin A