Positive affect dimensions and their association with inflammatory biomarkers in patients with chronic heart failure
Brouwers,C.J. Mommersteeg,P.M.C. Nyklicek,I. Pelle,A.J.M. Westerhuis,B.L.W.J.J.M. Szabó,B.M. Denollet,J.
Brouwers,C.J.
Mommersteeg,P.M.C.
Nyklicek,I.
Pelle,A.J.M.
Westerhuis,B.L.W.J.J.M.
Szabó,B.M.
Denollet,J.
Abstract
Background In cardiac patients positive affect has found to be associated with improved clinical outcomes, with reduced inflammation being one of the potential mechanisms responsible. Methods Positive affect was assessed using The Global Mood Scale (GMS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in patient with chronic heart failure (N = 210; 67 ± 9 years, 79% men). Markers of inflammation (TNFα, sTNFr1, sTNFr2, IL-6 and CRP) were measured and averaged at three consecutive time points. Results The positive affect dimensions of the GMS and PANAS were significantly associated with lower averaged levels of sTNFr2, TNFα and IL-6 (p < .1), even after adjustment for clinical and lifestyle confounders. Positive affect of the HADS was significantly associated with lower averaged levels of hsCRP (p < .1), but was no longer significant after correction for lifestyle confounders and depressive symptoms. Conclusion Positive affect is associated with reduced inflammation in patients with heart failure. Highlights ► Positive affect constructs (GMS, HADS, PANAS) measure different dimension of positive affect. ► The association between positive affect and inflammatory biomarkers depends on the construct used. ► Positive affect is associated with lower averaged levels of sTNFr2, TNFα, IL-6 and hsCRP. ► Positive affect may thereby induce a health benefit in heart failure patients. ► One should be cautious when comparing study outcomes which used different types of positive affect.
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2013
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Brouwers, C J, Mommersteeg, P M C, Nyklicek, I, Pelle, A J M, Westerhuis, B L W J J M, Szabó, B M & Denollet, J 2013, 'Positive affect dimensions and their association with inflammatory biomarkers in patients with chronic heart failure', Biological Psychology, vol. 92, no. 2, pp. 220-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2012.10.002