The relationship between self-report and biomarkers of stress in low-income reproductive-age women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between self-reported and biologic measures of stress in low-income, reproductive-age women.


METHODS
Between 1999 and 2005, randomly selected reproductive-age women from the 1998 welfare rolls in Chicago, IL, were interviewed yearly to assess psychosocial, socioeconomic, and health characteristics. The association of 2 stress-sensitive biomarkers (Epstein-Barr virus antibody titer (EBV) and C-reactive protein level) with self-reported stress was assessed.


RESULTS
Of the 206 women who were interviewed, 205 women (99%) agreed to provide a blood sample. There was no difference in mean EBV or C-reactive protein levels based on age, race, parity, employment, marital status, or education. Women who reported a higher degree of perceived stress or reported experiences of discrimination had significantly higher levels of EBV (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Measures of self-reported psychosocial stress are associated with elevated levels EBV antibody in a low-income population of reproductive-age women.
Borders
Ann E B
AE
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. abryant@md.northwestern.edu
Grobman
William A
WA
Amsden
Laura B
LB
McDade
Thomas W
TW
Sharp
Lisa K
LK
Holl
Jane L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D057566:Self Report; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein