title: Inflammatory and thrombotic changes in early bereavement: a prospective evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although there is an increased cardiovascular risk in the immediate weeks following bereavement, the mechanism is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether inflammatory and thrombotic changes were present in acute bereavement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty bereaved spouses or parents were prospectively studied within 2 weeks of bereavement (acute) and at 6 months, and compared to 80 non-bereaved participants. Haemostatic measures were obtained between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and processed within 1 h. Compared to non-bereaved participants, those acutely bereaved had a higher neutrophil count (4.34 ± 0.19 vs 3.79 ± 0.15, p = <0.001), von Willebrand factor antigen (132.33 ± 3.6 vs 119.95 ± 3.29, p = 0.02), Factor VIII (1.43 ± 0.06 vs 1.25 ± 0.04, p = 0.02) and platelet/granulocyte aggregates (median 383.0 vs 343.5, p = 0.02). Levels of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, platelet count, platelet/monocyte granulocytes and von Willebrand factor were lower in bereaved at 6 months compared to acutely (all p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute bereavement is associated with inflammatory and prothrombotic changes that may contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk with bereavement and provide clues for future preventative strategies.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Buckley
authors: Marie-Christine
authors: MC
authors: Morel-Kopp
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Ward
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Bartrop
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: McKinley
authors: Anastasia Susie
authors: AS
authors: Mihailidou
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Spinaze
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Tofler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology