Cancer Patients’ Morbidity (I): Immunological Status Varies with Psychological Intervention in Relation to Personality

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Background In an attempt to investigate impact of psychological parameters on cancer morbidity, personality and quality of life (QOL) data were obtained before, and immunological data before and after, the onset of intervention.
Method Personality was assessed with the EPQ-25, STAXI, RED and NH scales, and QOL with QOL-20.
Results Number of NK cells, T4 and T8 lymphocytes and rate of lymphocyte proliferation (PHA responsiveness) significantly increased after (but not before) the intervention onset. Except NK cells, they increased in low neuroticism and high lie/dissimulation, anger-suppression or emotional-defensiveness scorers (repressors). An increase in T4/T8 ratio was greater in repressors. NK cells increased regardless of personality, if age was disregarded. Further, T lymphocytes increased in high (better) physical (B), psychological (P) and B/P QOL scorers, and in patients advanced in age or TNM stage. Low neuroticism and high anger-suppression scores predicted lesser number of lymphocytes before, and low neuroticism score predicted greater increase in lymphocytes after, the onset of intervention. Increase in NK cells was greater in low neuroticism or high anger-suppression scorers for younger patients, and this relationship was reversed for older patients.
Coclusion Cancer patients’ immunological status varies with personality, QOL and psychological intervention, in relation to age and TNM stage.