title: Impulsivity-related traits are associated with higher white blood cell counts.
abstract: A chronically elevated white blood cell (WBC) count is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. The present research tests whether facets of impulsivity-impulsiveness, excitement-seeking, self-discipline, and deliberation-are associated with chronically elevated WBC counts. Community-dwelling participants (N = 5,652) from Sardinia, Italy, completed a standard personality questionnaire and provided blood samples concurrently and again 3 years later. Higher scores on impulsivity, in particular impulsiveness and excitement-seeking, were related to higher total WBC counts and higher lymphocyte counts at both time points. Impulsiveness was a predictor of chronic inflammation: for every standard deviation difference in this trait, there was an almost 25% higher risk of elevated WBC counts at both time points (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.10-1.38). These associations were mediated, in part, by smoking and body mass index. The findings demonstrate that links between psychological processes and immunity are not limited to acute stressors; stable personality dispositions are associated with a chronic inflammatory state.
authors.affiliation: National Institute on Aging, NIH, DHHS, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA, sutina@mail.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Angelina R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sutin
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Milaneschi
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cannas
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uda
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schlessinger
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Zonderman
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terracciano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein