title: Proinflammatory cytokine levels in patients with conversion disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It was aimed to evaluate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokine levels and conversion disorder both commonly known as stress regulated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline proinflammatory cytokine levels-[Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6)]-were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 35 conversion disorder patients and 30 healthy controls. Possible changes in proinflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated again, after their acute phase in conversion disorder patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant decreased serum TNF-α levels were obtained in acute phase of conversion disorder. Those levels increased after acute conversion phase. There were no statistically significant difference observed between groups in serum IL-1β and (IL-6) levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stress associated with conversion disorder may suppress immune function in acute conversion phase and may have diagnostic and therapeutic value.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Trakya University Hospital, Edirne, Turkey;
authors.forename: Utkan
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tiyekli
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Trakya University Hospital, Edirne, Turkey;
authors.forename: Okan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Calıyurt
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Immunology, Trakya University Hospital, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nimet Dilek
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Tiyekli