Childhood interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and atopic disorders as risk factors for hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood: a longitudinal birth cohort study

Abstract

Background. There are no existing longitudinal studies of inflammatory markers and atopic disorders in childhood and risk of hypomanic symptoms in adulthood. This study examined if childhood: (1) serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP); and (2) asthma and/or eczema are associated with features of hypomania in young adulthood.Method. Participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a prospective general population UK birth cohort, had non-fasting blood samples for IL-6 and CRP measurement at the age of 9 years (n = 4645), and parents answered a question about doctor-diagnosed atopic illness before the age of 10 years (n = 7809). These participants completed the Hypomania Checklist at age 22 years (n = 3361).Results. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status, past psychological and behavioural problems, body mass index and maternal postnatal depression, participants in the top third of IL-6 values at 9 years, compared with the bottom third, had an increased risk of hypomanic symptoms by age 22 years [adjusted odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.85, p < 0.001]. Higher IL-6 levels in childhood were associated with adult hypomania features in a dose-response fashion. After further adjustment for depression at the age of 18 years this association remained (adjusted odds ratio 1.70, 95% CI 1.03-2.81, p = 0.038). There was no evidence of an association of hypomanic symptoms with CRP levels, asthma or eczema in childhood.Conclusions. Higher levels of systemic inflammatory marker IL-6 in childhood were associated with hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood, suggesting that inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of mania. Inflammatory pathways may be suitable targets for the prevention and intervention for bipolar disorder.

The Association Between Low Grade Systemic Inflammation and Skin Diseases: A Cross-sectional Survey in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

“…However, in the other study (n = 60) this relationship was not found (30). There is slight evidence that atopic eczema is associated with low grade inflammation: Young psychiatric patients with atopic eczema showed higher levels of inflammatory markers compared with those without eczema (16,18). To the best of our knowledge, the association between atopic eczema and low grade inflammation, has not been previously demonstrated in an unselected adult population.…”

“…Studies with limited sample size have showed that low grade inflammation is also present in chronic urticaria (n = 58) (13), lichen ruber planus (n = 55) (14) and rosacea (n = 60) (15). Recent studies have demonstrated that children and young adults with atopic eczema or allergic sensitization have elevated CRP levels (16)(17)(18). In contrast, no association has been found between acne vulgaris and elevated CRP (12).…”

A comparison study of metabolic profiles, immunity, and brain gray matter volumes between patients with bipolar disorder and depressive disorder

“…Another study also showed sIL-6 R level reflecting the illness activity in bipolar disorder [41]. In a 13-year longitudinal study, higher levels of systemic inflammatory marker IL-6 in childhood were associated with hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood [42]. Higher sIL-6R levels were also associated with lower functional connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and subcortical structures involved in emotional processing in BD patients [43].…”

Relationship of cutaneous manifestations with inflammatory markers in diabetic nephropathic patients on haemodialysis

“…This is in agreement with earlier reports. 1,3,[15][16][17][18][19][20] It is clear from the results that elevated CRP and IL-6 are seen in DN patients having multiple cutaneous complications proving that a rise in inflammatory marker levels is directly related to cutaneous complications (Table 5).…”

“…15 Inflammation can be assessed by an elevation in inflammatory markers specifically CRP and IL-6. 16,17 Inflammation been defined as a complex physiological response to harmful stimulation of the body followed by clinical symptoms like redness, swelling, heat and pain. It is also characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory markers of which CRP and IL-6 are significant and most commonly employed in clinical assessment of inflammation.…”