Men With More Breakups, Years Lived Alone Have Higher Inflammation

No similar findings seen for middle-aged women

THURSDAY, Jan. 13, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Partnership breakups or years lived alone are associated with higher inflammation levels for men, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

Karolina Davidsen, from University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and colleagues examined whether accumulated numbers of divorces/partnership breakups or years lived alone are associated with levels of inflammation (interleukin 6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). The analysis included 4,835 participants from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (aged 48 to 62 years).

The researchers observed an association between an increasing number of partnership breakups or number of years living alone and higher levels of inflammatory markers among men. However, there was no association found for women. Furthermore, the investigators found no evidence of partnership breakups and educational level having a joint effect for either gender.

“The levels of inflammation in our study are low, but they are also significant, clinically relevant, and most likely a risk factor for increased mortality,” the authors write.