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.
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