Proinflammatory cytokine levels in patients with conversion disorder

Abstract

ObjectiveIt was aimed to evaluate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokine levels and conversion disorder both commonly known as stress regulated.MethodBaseline proinflammatory cytokine levels–[Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)]–were evaluated with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 35 conversion disorder patients and 30 healthy controls. Possible changes in proinflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated again, after their acute phase in conversion disorder patients.ResultsStatistically significant decreased serum TNF‐α levels were obtained in acute phase of conversion disorder. Those levels increased after acute conversion phase. There were no statistically significant difference observed between groups in serum IL‐1β and (IL‐6) levels.ConclusionsStress associated with conversion disorder may suppress immune function in acute conversion phase and may have diagnostic and therapeutic value.