C-reactive protein, early life stress, and wellbeing in healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP) can serve as a marker for alterations in immune function prior to the manifestation of significant psychiatric and medical disorders.


METHODS
Ninety-two healthy adults were recruited from the community and determined to be free of psychiatric or medical disorders. The concentration of plasma CRP from a single resting sample was examined in relation to current mental and physical health as well as to self-reported history of early life adversity.


RESULTS
C-reactive protein showed a significant positive correlation with body mass index (BMI; r = 0.477, P < 0.001). Non-specific pain, fatigue, and lower overall quality of physical health were all associated with higher CRP concentrations (all P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), after controlling for effect of BMI and other relevant covariates. Subthreshold depression symptoms and other indices of mental/emotional wellbeing were not associated with CRP, nor was CRP significantly linked to any measures of early life adversity.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower-quality physical health and wellbeing, but not the presence of mood/anxiety symptoms or early life stress (ELS), were significantly related to plasma CRP. Elevated CRP does not appear to be a fundamental consequence of ELS among healthy adults.
Mood Disorders Research Program and Laboratory for Clinical Neuroscience, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
L L
LL
Carpenter
C E
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Gawuga
A R
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Tyrka
L H
LH
Price
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D002097:C-Reactive Protein