Bereavement affects a person’s immune system, and the impact varies with age, according to a new study.
"During the difficult weeks and months after loss we can suffer from reduced neutrophil function," explains Dr Anna Phillips of Birmingham University, UK.
"Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and as such are essential at combating infections and illness, so we become vulnerable when this happens."
Her research has found shows that as we age, the balance of "stress" hormones during grief for the loss of a loved one alters, putting the elderly at greater risk of reduced immune function and consequent infections.
Specifically, the hormones cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) respond differently to loss as we age. This has an impact on neutrophil function – in younger people, the ratio of cortisol and DHEAS was more balanced, whereas the cortisol to DHEAS ratio was significantly higher among older participants.
This study is published today (10 September) in the journal Immunity and Ageing.
Speaking about the research at the British Science Festival in Birmingham, Dr Phillips said: "The effects of loss are poorly understood on the whole – we know that it affects the immune system amongst other things – but we don’t fully understand the role played by our stress hormones.
"We hope that this is a step towards that understanding, and being able to provide the best possible support."
Co-author Professor Janet Lord pointed out that cortisol "is also incredibly useful, particularly in activating some anti-stress and anti-inflammation pathways, so it’s not as simple as trying to suppress cortisol in vulnerable people".
However, hormonal supplements or similar products may prove to be useful for people at an increased risk.
Vitlic, A. et al. Bereavement reduces neutrophil oxidative burst only in older adults: role of the HPA axis and immunesenescence. Immunity & Ageing 10 September 2014 doi:10.1186/1742-4933-11-13
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