Investigating the Associations of Everyday Discrimination and Inflammation in Latina Women: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Biological research for nursing 2021-07, Vol.23 (3), p.311-317
• Main Authors: Caceres, Billy A., Barcelona, Veronica, Vo, Danny, Suero-Tejeda, Niurka, Jackman, Kasey, Taylor, Jacquelyn, Corwin, Elizabeth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cytokines - blood; Female; Health Status; Hispanic or Latino - psychology; Humans; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - psychology; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Racism - psychology; Sexism - psychology
• ISSN: 1099-8004; 1552-4175
• DOI: 10.1177/1099800421995901

Introduction: Discrimination is associated with negative health outcomes among Latinos. Research on the link between discrimination and inflammation in adults has focused on pro-inflammatory markers rather than characterizing the more informative balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the associations of everyday discrimination with inflammation ratio (defined as the ratio of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines) in a sample of middle-aged and older Latinas. Methods: Latinas were recruited from an existing study in New York City. Participants reported frequency and count of everyday discrimination. Peripheral blood was used to analyze pro- (IL-1B and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines. The inflammation ratio was calculated by dividing the sum of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the sum of anti-inflammatory cytokines. We used linear regression to assess the link between everyday discrimination and inflammation ratio. Results: The final sample included 40 Latinas (mean age = 63.2 years). Approximately 68% had household incomes less than $15,000. More than half (53%) reported experiencing some form of everyday discrimination. Regression models showed everyday discrimination was not associated with individual pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In adjusted regression models, the frequency of everyday discrimination was not associated with inflammation ratios (B[SE] = 0.57[0.30], p = .07). However, a higher count of everyday discrimination was associated with inflammation ratios (B[SE] = 1.15[0.55], p = .04). Conclusions: The count of everyday discrimination was positively associated with inflammation in Latina women. Future studies should replicate these findings using longitudinal assessment of discrimination and inflammatory markers.