title: Chronic inflammation and quality of life in older adults: a cross-sectional study using biomarkers to predict emotional and relational outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study explores relationships between chronic inflammation and quality of life, making a case for biopsychosocial modeling of these associations. It builds on research from social and clinical disciplines connecting chronic conditions, and inflammatory conditions specifically, to reduced quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from Wave I of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project are modeled using ordinal logistic and ordinary least-squares regression techniques. Inflammation is measured using C-reactive protein; quality of life is conceptualized as happiness with life overall as well as intimate relationships specifically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For most NSHAP participants, chronic inflammation significantly predicts lower odds of reporting high QoL on both emotional and relational measures. Social structural factors do not confound these associations. Inconsistent results for participants with very high (over 6 mg/L) CRP measurements suggest additional social influences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings echo strong theoretical justification for investigating relationships between CRP and QoL in greater detail. Further research should explore possible mediation of these associations by sociomedical sequelae of chronic disease as well as social relationship dynamics. Elaboration is also needed on the mechanisms by which social disadvantage may cause chronic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Florida State University, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee 32306-4300, FL, USA. xnowakowski@fsu.edu.
authors.forename: Alexandra C H
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nowakowski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein