Study on the correlation between seven emotions and traditional Chinese medicine syndromes, serum IL-6 and IFN-γ in patients with primary lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlations among seven emotions, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes, and serum levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in patients with primary lung cancer.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, 331 newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve lung cancer patients were enrolled. TCM syndrome differentiation was independently performed by two blinded senior physicians. Patients were categorized into four syndrome types: Lung Qi Stagnation with Phlegm and Blood Stasis (n = 95), Qi and Yin Deficiency (n = 127), Spleen Deficiency with Phlegm-Dampness (n = 36), and Yin Deficiency with Phlegm-Heat (n = 73). Emotional states were assessed using the "TCM Seven Emotions Scale". Serum IL-6 and IFN-γ levels were measured via ELISA.

RESULTS

Specific emotions were predominantly associated with particular TCM syndromes (all p < 0.05). The Lung Stagnation with Phlegm and Blood Stasis group showed higher IL-6 levels, while the Qi and Yin Deficiency group had lower IFN-γ levels compared to other syndromes (p < 0.05). Crucially, Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the total emotion score and serum IL-6 level (rs = 0.325, p < 0.001), and a significant negative correlation with IFN-γ level (rs = -0.391, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The seven emotions exhibit syndrome-specific expression patterns in lung cancer patients. Significant correlations were found between emotional states and the inflammatory markers IL-6 and IFN-γ, suggesting a potential integrative link between psychological state, TCM diagnosis, and systemic inflammation, which may inform clinical approaches.