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


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide preliminary evidence that psychoimmune processes may be implicated in short-term changes in RA disease activity.
Harrington
L
L
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington.
Affleck
G
G
Urrows
S
S
Tennen
H
H
Higgins
P
P
Zautra
A
A
Hoffman
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D012995:Solubility; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2