Summary:
There has been an intensive research to answer the question of whether special
personality traits are interconnected with the mechanism of neoplasia
development and/or tumor prognosis. To our knowledge, no published data exists
based on Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The activity of cytokines such as
IL-1, IL-2, IL-10 have been associated with the presence of certain
psychopathology.
Methods: We collected 77 patients with Hodgkin and non Hodgkin lymphoma and
studied their psychometric profile via Zung Depression Scale, SCL-90R
Psychopathology Scale, EPQ personality questionnaire and HQHQ questionnaire for
Hostility. The instruments were given at diagnosis and post treatment phase, to
all patients and their family care-givers. Additionally, we collected blood
serum samples from 49 patients at the time of diagnosis and post treatment, in
order to measure the levels of interleukins IL-1, IL-1Ra, IL-2, IL-10 and the
inflammation index suPAR by ELISA.
Results: Lymphoma patients and their family care-givers have special
psychopathology such as psychotism, compulsiveness, depression and neurotism.
IL-10, IL-2 and suPAR were positively associated with anxiety, depression,
obsessivenes-compulsiveness and psychotism. Although Although the immunological
markers but IL-1 were significantly reduced, the psychopathology of these
patients remained stable. IL-10 and suPAR were positively associated with
disease activity. IL-1, IL-2, IL-10 (and suPAR at borderline level) were
associated with worse Progression Free Surviva. IL-1Ra was revealed as a
favorable prognostic marker for PFS.
Conclusions: Lymphoma patients have certain personality characteristics and
established psychopathology. The reduction of IL-1, IL-1Ra, IL-2 and suPAR
after treatment, indicates the association of these markers with lymphoma.
Although IL-1, IL-1Ra, IL-2, IL-10 and suPAR do not have predictive value in
terms of treatment response, it seems that they have prognostic value.
Inflammation might be an intersection between lymphomas and mental disorders.
Keywords:
Lymphoma, Personality trait, Psychotism, Neurotism, Depression
