Is poor self-rated health associated with low-grade inflammation in 43,110 late adolescent men of the general population? A cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
Self-rated health is a powerful predictor of long-term health and mortality, hence the importance of a better understanding of its biological determinants. Previous studies have shown that low-grade inflammation is associated with poor self-rated health in clinical and healthy populations, but the evidence is sparse in men and completely lacking for men in late adolescence. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between low-grade inflammation and self-rated health among conscripts. It was hypothesised that high levels of inflammatory factors would be associated with poor self-rated health.


METHODS
Data from 49,321 men (18-21 years) conscripted for military service in 1969 and 1970 were used. Inflammation had been measured through erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Self-rated health had been assessed on a five-point scale, and was dichotomised into Good ('Very good'/'Good'/'Fair') versus Poor ('Poor'/'Very poor'). Data from 43,110 conscripts with normal levels of ESR, and who reported self-rated health remained after exclusion of those with ESR <1 and >11 mm/h. Associations were calculated using logistic regression analyses. Adjustments were made for body mass index, socioeconomic position, inflammatory disease, emotion regulation, smoking, risky use of alcohol and physical activity.


RESULTS
High levels of ESR were associated with higher odds for poor self-rated health (OR: 1.077 for each unit mm/h increase in ESR, 95% CI 1.049 to 1.105).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows for the first time a significant association between a marker of inflammation and self-rated health in late adolescent men, adding to evidence of an association between low-grade inflammation and subjective health perception also in men, as previously demonstrated in women. Further support for inflammation as part of a general psychobiological process that underpins subjective health perception is hereby provided.
Department for Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Carin
C
Warnoff
Department for Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mats
M
Lekander
Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Tomas
T
Hemmingsson
Department for Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Kimmo
K
Sorjonen
Department for Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bo
B
Melin
Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Division of Family Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Anna
A
Andreasson
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004326:Drinking; D004644:Emotions; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers
Epidemiology; IMMUNOLOGY; MENTAL HEALTH