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. 2021 Mar;18(3):205-213.
doi: 10.30773/pi.2020.0101. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

The Interaction of Inflammatory Markers and Alcohol-Use on Cognitive Function in Korean Male Firefighters

Ji-Ae Yun  1   2 , Kyoung Sook Jeong  3 , Yeon-Soon Ahn  3 , Yuri Han  4 , Kyeong-Sook Choi  1   2
Affiliations

The Interaction of Inflammatory Markers and Alcohol-Use on Cognitive Function in Korean Male Firefighters

Ji-Ae Yun et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: Cognitive functions have been shown to become impaired due to alcoholism. Recently, neuroinflammation gained attention for playing a role in the neurotoxic effect of alcohol. However, there is limited data on the relationship between alcohol and cognitive function, based on the mechanism of inflammation. This study examined whether the interaction between alcohol use and pro-inflammatory biomarkers is related to cognitive function in Korean male firefighters.

Methods: A total of 474 firefighters were assessed for alcohol-related problems using CAGE, cognitive functions, and pro-inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α). Sequential multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine if inflammatory markers moderate the relationship between alcohol use and cognitive function.

Results: Only a decreased attentional function was associated with the interaction of alcohol use and inflammatory markers, after controlling for age, sex, body mass index, lipid profiles, smoking, depression, fatigue, self-reported hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal problems.

Conclusion: This study revealed that the interaction between alcohol use and inflammation is related to attentional function in Korean male firefighters. Additionally, this cross-sectional study suggests that diminishing attention, related to alcohol use, may be based on the mechanism of inflammation.

Keywords: Alcohol dependence; Attention; Cognitive decline; Firefighter; Inflammatory marker.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The interaction between alcohol use and 3-inflammatory biomarker composite (IL-6, CRP, TNF-α) on attention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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