Depression and Chronic and Autoimmune Diseases

                                   Depression and Chronic and Autoimmune Diseases

Depression has a powerful affect on the immune and inflammatory response systems. It increases cortisol and other inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, and an enzyme called IDO (Müller & Schwarz, 2007). These substances decrease the body's ability to heal, which can increase vulnerability to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The goal of this paper is to describe the association between depression and SLE, explain the factors of the disease that account for its high co-occurrence with depression, and discuss the role of stress hormones and inflammation in SLE. Further, it will explain three teaching strategies that might reduce the effects of SLE and effective methods to encourage the adoption of strategies to reduce the effects of SLE.

                                         Depression and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

High levels of inflammatory factors and depression are characteristic of many autoimmune diseases (Laureate Education, Inc., 2012). For example, depression is highly comorbid with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). More than 65% of patients with chronic rheumatological disorders, such as SLE suffer from depression (Maes et al., 2011). Patients with SLE have several comorbidities including hypertension, gall bladder disorders, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, and neurologic and endocrine disorders (Wolfe et al., 2010). Almost 40% of patients with SLE are diagnosed with depression, which, has been linked to a lower life quality (Wolfe et al., 2010). Palagini et al., (2013) claimed SLE is co-occuring with depression in 14% to 89% of patients. Women with SLE have at least a 47% chance of being diagnosed with depression. Further, anxiety and depression have been associated to permanent deformation of the joints and active inflammation in SLE patients (Waheed, Hameed, Khan, Syed, & Mirza, 2006). Depression is, however, the most prevalent comorbidity associated with SLE (Wekking, 1993).

                                   The Role of Stress Hormones and Inflammation in SLE

Depression associated with SLE may be mediated by an autoimmune mechanism (Palagini et al., 2013). Bachen, Chesney, and Criswell (2009) hypothesized proinflammatory cytokines play a role in SLE's inflammatory response. The body's cytokine immune response has been implicated in depression as well as in some autoimmune diseases (Wilson & Warise, 2008). Cytokines are immune proteins that regulate the immune system, especially during a stress response (Wilson & Warise, 2008). Cytokines, have an inflammatory effect on the neurotransmission of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has been known to have a profound effect on psychological health and well-being (Dabhar, 2011; Salih & Feyza, 2012; Wilson & Warise, 2008).

SLE and other chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with depression (Wilson & Warise, 2008). It is well known that stress exacerbates symptoms of SLE (Peralta-Ramirez, Jimenez-Alonso, Godoy-Garcia, & Perez-Garcia, 2004). Further, cytokine imbalances are characteristic of autoimmune diseases, such as SLE, especially during its beginning stages as well as during disease progression (Freiri, 2003). When an excess of cytokines are flushed into the blood stream during stress, an enzyme called IDO is activated, and this enzyme degrades serotonin (Müller & Schwarz, 2007). This inflammatory process degrades the body's serotonergic system, which decreases the body's ability to manufacture serotonin. The lowered level of serotonin leaves the individual more susceptible to depression.

Maes (2010) found depression shares the same inflammatory pathways with other diseases, and rather than the existence of two separate degenerative processes, for example, one for SLE, and one for depression, these comorbidities may be symptoms of one degenerative process. Inflammatory processes may have a variety of causes, such as diet, lifestyle, and genetic predispositions, but the biological process may be singular (Maes, 2010). In addition, Maes (2010) found that this shared biological process is bidirectional, and cyclical, in that inflammation provoked degeneration and vice versa.

                                             Teaching Strategies to Reduce Anxiety
Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management

Cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) has been proven effective in ameliorating stress that accompanies chronic illness and has been shown to help individuals cope effectively with disease-related treatment and manage social resources (Nezu, Nezu, & Xanthopoulos, 2011). CBSM increased individuals' ability to find benefit in their illness as well as their ability to remain optimistic amid the challenge of chronic disease (Nezu et al., 2011). Stress and anxiety are common in SLE patients, and in general, they are not as aware of effective coping strategies as the general population, and the strategies they tend to use are inadequate and less effective than other strategies such as CBSM (Peralta-Ramirez et al., 2004). Patients who implemented CBSM perceived themselves less likely to have a flare of symptoms, felt confident about their future, experienced significant improvement in their psychological health and well-being, felt more vital, and experienced significantly less pain (Peralta-Ramirez et al., 2004).

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to be a possible antidepressant and it exercise also generates neurons in adults (National Institute on Mental Health, 2010). Home-based exercise made a significant difference in a group of sedentary women with SLE (Yuen et al., 2013). Physical exercise was proven useful and successful in improving symptoms of SLE without provoking disease activity (Reis-Neto, Silva, Monteiro, Camargo, & Sato, 2013). Similarly, Ayán and Martín (2007) concluded SLE patients can benefit from exercise.

Relaxation Techniques

Smith and Balaban (1983) found behavioral therapy that included deep relaxation, hypnosis and psychodynamic psychotherapy was effective for pain management, coping, and negative emotions associated with the stress of SLE. Torem (2007) postulated the immune system interacts with the central nervous system, and believed hypnosis and imagery could affect the immune system. Torem found this treatment effective in patients with autoimmune diseases. Zhang, Wei, and Wang (2013) discovered psychological interventions had the potential to help patients with SLE manage negative emotions and reduce stress.

Encouraging Health Behavior Change
Changing health behaviors is a complex undertaking, and effective interventions must consider the individual (Glanz, Rimer, & Viswanath, 2008). The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change is concerned with individually tailored interventions (Brug, 2004). When encouraging behavior change, it seems important to account for various individual factors in patients, especially their stage of understanding and their readiness for education. The TTM takes into account patients' attitudes and beliefs, which will have an effect on whether they can make changes in their health behavior (Glanz et al., 2008). Because this model of behavior change accommodates individual needs, it may be a salient component in developing effective interventions (Velicer, Redding, Sun, & Prochaska, 2007). This may be especially true in patients with SLE because this population has fewer effective stress management strategies than the general population (Peralta-Ramirez et al., 2004). Lack of awareness, education, and experience, may contribute to this deficiency, and understanding their personal experience and readiness may be important in establishing durable behavior change.

                                                                     Conclusion

Depression is commonly found in a significant number of individuals diagnosed with SLE. The body's inflammatory immune response to stress has been implicated in depression and autoimmune diseases, such as SLE (Wilson & Warise, 2008). In particular, proinflammatory cytokines play a role in depression as well as in SLE's inflammatory response (Bachen, Chesney, & Criswell, 2009). Maes (2010) hypothesized that depression and illnesses such as SLE may share inflammatory pathways and a foundational cause. Since lifestyle and stress have the potential to cause inflammation, exercise, CBSM, and relaxation techniques may provide relief and decrease symptoms of depression and SLE (Zhang, Wei, & Wang, 2012). Utilizing the TTM, effective coping and stress management strategies that account for personal readiness can be developed for positive health outcomes and to instigate durable behavior change (Glanz et al., 2008).

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