The Effect of Environmental Vulnerability on Family Caregiver Health.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of neighborhood level indices of socioeconomic status on interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in family caregivers of patients with a primary malignant brain tumor.

SAMPLE & SETTING Baseline data were obtained from 120 family caregivers of patients with a primary malignant brain tumor.

METHODS & VARIABLES High-sensitivity CRP, IL-6, and IL-1RA levels were assessed from 5 ml of blood. Standardized neighborhood deprivation and social vulnerability levels were obtained using metrics from the U.S. Census Bureau, and sociodemographic information was collected via self-report. Final analyses were performed using multivariate linear regression adjusting for potential covariates.

RESULTS Higher neighborhood deprivation was associated with higher CRP (p = 0.05) and IL-6 levels (p = 0.08), and higher levels of social vulnerability (p = 0.05) were significantly associated with higher CRP levels. A trend (p = 0.1) was found between social vulnerability and IL-6 levels.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Recognizing the characteristics placing neuro-oncology caregivers at risk for compromised immunity can inform health strategies and targeted interventions. Indices of environmental vulnerability can identify individuals for whom reduction of inflammation should be a primary target to improve quality of life and overall health.