Abstract B98: Dietary fiber is associated with circulating concentrations of inflammatory markers among breast cancer survivors

BackgroundPsychosocial and inflammatory factors have been associated with fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Nevertheless, the relative contribution and/or interaction of these factors with cancer-related fatigue have not been well documented.MethodThis cross-sectional study enrolled 111 stage 0–III breast cancer patients treated with breast surgery followed by whole breast radiotherapy. Fatigue was measured by the total score of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20. Potential risk factors included inflammatory markers (plasma cytokines and their receptors and C-reactive protein; CRP), depressive symptoms (as assessed by the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology–Self Reported), sleep (as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and perceived stress (as assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale) as well as age, race, marital status, smoking history, menopause status, endocrine treatment, chemotherapy and cancer stage. Linear regression modeling was employed to examine risk factors of fatigue. Only risk factors with a significance level <0.10 were included in the initial regression model. A post-hoc mediation model using PROCESS SPSS was conducted to examine the association among depressive symptoms, sleep problems, stress, inflammation and fatigue.ResultsAt 1 year post-radiotherapy, depressive symptoms (p<0.0001) and inflammatory markers (CRP: p = 0.015; interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: p = 0.014; soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2: p = 0.009 in separate models) were independent risk factors of fatigue. Mediation analysis showed that depressive symptoms also mediated the associations of fatigue with sleep and stress.ConclusionsDepressive symptoms and inflammation were independent risk factors for cancer-related fatigue at 1 year post-radiotherapy, and thus represent independent treatment targets for this debilitating symptom.

Download Full-text

Moderators of inflammation-related depression: a prospective study of breast cancer survivors

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-021-01744-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Andrew W. Manigault ◽

Patricia A. Ganz ◽

Michael R. Irwin ◽

Steve W. Cole ◽

Kate R. Kuhlman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

State Anxiety ◽

Inflammatory Markers ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Childhood Adversity

AbstractInflammation has been shown to predict depression, but sensitivity to inflammation varies across individuals. Experimental studies administering potent pro-inflammatory agents have begun to characterize this sensitivity. However, risk factors for inflammation-associated depression in naturalistic contexts have not been determined. The present study examined key psychological and behavioral risk factors (state anxiety, perceived stress, negative affect, disturbed sleep, and childhood adversity) as potential moderators of the relationship between inflammation and depressive symptoms in a prospective longitudinal study of breast cancer survivors. Women with early stage breast cancer were recruited after completing primary cancer treatment (nfinal = 161). Depressive symptoms, inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, and sTNF-RII), and key risk factors were assessed post treatment (T1), at 6 and 12-month follow-ups (T2 and T3), and during a final follow-up (TF) 3−6 years after T1; childhood adversity was measured only at T3. Inflammatory markers were combined into a single inflammatory index prior to analyses. Women who reported higher levels of state anxiety, perceived stress, negative affect, and/or sleep disturbance at T1 (post-treatment) exhibited higher depressive symptoms at times when inflammation was higher than typical (interaction βs ranged from .06 to .08; all ps < .014). Results demonstrate the relevance of these risk factors for understanding inflammation-associated depression in a clinical context and could inform targeted strategies for prevention and treatment among at-risk populations.

Download Full-text