| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Manuscript | | Title: Longitudinal relationship of low leisure satisfaction but not depressive symptoms with systemic low-grade inflammation in dementia caregivers. | | Authors: , Mausbach BT, Mills PJ, Dimsdale JE, Patterson TL, Ancoli-Israel S, Ziegler MG, Allison M, Chattillion EA, Grant I | | Year: 2013 | | Publication: Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Science | | Volume: 69 Issue: 3 Pages: 397-407 | | Abstract:Objectives. This study aimed to further elucidate the biobehavioral mechanisms linking dementia caregiving with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. We hypothesized that elevated depressive symptoms and a behavioral correlate of depression, low leisure satisfaction, both are associated with systemic inflammation.
Method. We studied 121 elderly Alzheimer’s disease caregivers who underwent 4 annual assessments for depressive symptoms, leisure satisfaction and circulating levels of inflammatory markers. We used mixed-regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic and health-relevant covariates to examine longitudinal relationships between constructs of interest.
Results. There were inverse relationships between total leisure satisfaction and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p=0.047), interleukin (IL)-8 (p<0.001), and interferon-γ (p=0.020), but not with IL-6 (p=0.21) and C-reactive protein (p=0.65). Lower leisure activities enjoyment related to higher levels of TNF-α (p=0.045), IL-8 (p<0.001), and interferon-γ (p=0.002); lower leisure activities frequency was related to higher IL-8 levels only (p=0.023). Depressive symptoms were not associated with any inflammatory marker (all p-values >0.17). Depressive symptoms did not mediate the relationship between leisure satisfaction and inflammation.
Discussion. Lower satisfaction with leisure activities is related to higher low-grade systemic inflammation. This knowledge may provide a promising way of improving cardiovascular health in dementia caregivers through behavioral activation treatments targeting low leisure satisfaction. |
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