Inflammatory markers in mild cognitive impairment and anxiety disorders in middle-aged subjects with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are increasingly being associated with metabolic and cardiovascular burden, in contrast with depression; the role of inflammation in anxiety has sparsely been discussed. A number of reports of elevated inflammatory markers in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) suggest that inflammation may be a potential early marker of the pathological cascade associated with dementia. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible association between peripheral blood concentrations of inflammatory factors in patients with MCI and mental processes such as, cognitive impairment and anxiety in obesity.

Methods and results

The data collected from 271 patients with MetS according IDF criteria, (aged 30–60 years) have been analyzed. Lifetime diagnoses of depression (D), anxiety (A) was self-reported. Current D and A were confirmed by psychodiagnostic interview according to the criteria of ICD-10. All patients passed through: MMSE test, Wechsler memory scale, symbol coding and category Fluency test, scales HADS, HAM-A. Inflammatory markers included CRP, IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-α. Subjects were divided into group A–with D and/or A (139) and group B–without affective disorders (132). Using Mann–Whitney test significant connection between presence of MCI and high levels of inflammation is associated with simultaneous presence affective disorders. High correlations in subjects with A/D were between IL-6, IL-1 and MCI. In-group B, there was no significant correlations between inflammatory markers and MCI.

Conclusion

There is link between affective disorders and levels of inflammatory markers. Increased levels of IL-6 and IL-1 provoke co-morbidity of MCI and depression or anxiety.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.