Impaired immune function in a homeless population with stress-related disorders - PubMed (original) (raw)

doi: 10.1159/000212386. Epub 2009 Apr 9.

Affiliations

Lorena Arranz et al. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2009.

Abstract

Objective: Homeless people suffer high levels of psychological distress. The aim of the present work was to study the immune function in a group of homeless people with stress-related disorders and compare it with that of healthy non-homeless controls.

Methods: We included in the study 40 homeless persons and 40 housed controls recruited from the population of Madrid and matched for age and gender. Samples from peripheral blood were collected and we studied several leukocyte functions previously described as good health and survival markers [adherence, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, superoxide anion levels, lymphocyte proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin, NK activity and cytokine (IL-2, TNF-alpha) levels], as well as other related parameters, such as plasma cortisol levels and total antioxidant capacity.

Results: There was a strongly suppressed immune response in the homeless group, with decreased adherence, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, superoxide levels, lymphoproliferation and NK activity. IL-2 and plasma antioxidant levels were also impaired.

Conclusions: These findings suggest an altered immune function in the homeless population that might be responsible for the higher morbidity and mortality of homeless people. In addition, the present work points out directions for future research attempting to increase the quality of life and health status of homeless individuals, since it shows that oxidative stress seems to play a key role in this immune function impairment.

Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources