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

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.