Association between anxiety and depressive symptoms and inflammation in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

The diagnosis of anxiety and depression is higher in breast cancer survivors than in general population. Proinflammatory cytokines and cortisol are involved in both cancer physiopathology and affective disorders physiopathology. Thus, we aim to investigate the relationship between depressive and anxiety symptoms and inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors. The results showed that women with anxiety disorders had increased cortisol level. In addition, elevated TNF-α levels were found in subjects with depression.