Measuring Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Low-Income Hispanic Adults: A Feasibility and Pilot Assessment

Authors

Charles F. Hodgman, University of HoustonFollow
Emily C. LaVoy, University of HoustonFollow
Craig Johnston, University of HoustonFollow
Ezemenari Obasi, University of HoustonFollow
Rosenda Murillo, University of HoustonFollow
Sandra Yan, University of HoustonFollow
Daniel P. O'Connor, University of HoustonFollow
Lorna McNeill, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
Lorraine R. Reitzel, University of HoustonFollow
Daphne C. Hernandez, University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow

Abstract

Using the Orsmond and Cohen feasibility framework, the primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the implementation of recruitment strategies, data collection procedures, and managerial resources needed to assess pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers from low-income, younger Hispanic adults. The secondary aim of this study was to describe the relationship between discrimination stress and inflammation as pilot work for future studies. Data were collected in a Houston-area community center from self-identifying Hispanic adults (ages 21–35) (August 2018). Inflammation was evaluated from blood samples, and interviewer-administered surveys in participants’ preferred language measured discrimination stress (Hispanic Stress Inventory-2 discrimination subscale). Spearman rank-order correlations evaluated the relationships between discrimination stress and inflammatory biomarkers. The recruitment strategies, data collection strategy, and the associated resources were evaluated and found to be feasible. While 50 participants consented to donate blood, five were too dehydrated for sample collection. Among the 45 participants [Mage = 28.9 (SD = 4.4), 17.8% U.S.-born, 42.2% 1.5 generation, 40% 1.0 generation], discrimination stress was negatively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (p < 0.01). This study demonstrated feasibility using established benchmarks. The negative correlation between discrimination stress and interleukin-8 suggests discrimination stress may contribute to inflammatory dysregulation.

Author ORCID Identifier

Charles Hodgman: 0000-0002-7899-2084

Emily LaVoy: 0000-0002-9505-0144

Craig Johnston:

Ezemanari Obasi:

Rosenda Murillo: 0000-0002-0363-9067

Sandra Yan:

Dan O’Connor: 0000-0001-9750-2864

Lorna McNeill: 0000-0003-1594-6301

Lorraine Reitzel: 0000-0002-7165-5720

Daphne Hernandez: 0000-0002-5232-749X

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

Recommended Citation

Hodgman, Charles F.; LaVoy, Emily C.; Johnston, Craig; Obasi, Ezemenari; Murillo, Rosenda; Yan, Sandra; O'Connor, Daniel P.; McNeill, Lorna; Reitzel, Lorraine R.; and Hernandez, Daphne C. (2022) "Measuring Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Low-Income Hispanic Adults: A Feasibility and Pilot Assessment," Health Behavior Research: Vol. 5: No. 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1143