Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between self-reported and biologic measures of stress in low-income, reproductive-age women. STUDY DESIGN: Between 1999 and 2005, randomly selected reproductive-age women from the 1998 welfare rolls in Chicago, IL, were interviewed yearly to assess psychosocial, socioeconomic, and health characteristics. The association of 2 stress-sensitive biomarkers (Epstein-Barr virus antibody titer (EBV) and C-reactive protein level) with self-reported stress was assessed. RESULTS: Of the 206 women who were interviewed, 205 women (99%) agreed to provide a blood sample. There was no difference in mean EBV or C-reactive protein levels based on age, race, parity, employment, marital status, or education. Women who reported a higher degree of perceived stress or reported experiences of discrimination had significantly higher levels of EBV (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Measures of self-reported psychosocial stress are associated with elevated levels EBV antibody in a low-income population of reproductive-age women.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 577.e1-577.e8 |
Journal | American journal of obstetrics and gynecology |
Volume | 203 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2010 |
Funding
Keywords
- Biomarker
- C-reactive protein
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology