Hostility and helper T-cells in patients with bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to analyze the correlation between lymphocyte counts and several psychopathological variables associated with psychological instability (depression, hostility, impulsivity, self-defeating personality traits, and borderline personality symptoms) in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN).


METHODS
Sixty BN patients were assessed, using specific scales for eating pathology, general psychopathology, impulsivity, depression, and borderline personality features. Lymphocyte and lymphocyte subset counts were performed. Plasma cortisol at 8:00, before and after administration of 1 mg of dexamethasone at 23:00, was determined. The influence of body weight, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine was controlled. The relationship between each isolated variable and the number of immune cells was analyzed. In a second step, supplementary post-hoc analysis of the variables was introduced to confirm the accuracy of the psychopathological assessment.


RESULTS
Hostility was negatively correlated with the number of helper T-cells (CD4+). Patients with high hostility had lower CD4+ cell counts and lower CD4+/CD8+ ratios. In the post-hoc control study, hostility was significantly related with other "interpersonal" items.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the idea that hostility, as an expression of disturbed interpersonal relationships, could play a role as a modulator of immune activity in patients with BN.
Vaz-Leal
F J
FJ
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain. fjvaz@unex.es
Rodríguez-Santos
L
L
Melero
M J
MJ
Ramos
M I
MI
Monge
M
M
López-Vinuesa
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer