Mental health and physical health – does underlying inflammation connect these two often wrongly separated disease constructs?

Purpose The author has the purpose of advancing the concept of systemic micro-inflammation (chronic signs of immunological stimulation) as a potential driver of acute and chronic mental health challenges and conditions. Design/methodology/approach The author has looked back over the last five years to see which types of studies might provide evidence to test the hypothesis that acute and chronic inflammation may temporarily or more permanently disturb the mental health of subjects. Findings There is circumstantial evidence which supports the existence of these links, but crucially, the author lack the tools to explore the potential bidirectional nature of what is, for now, an intriguing association between inflammation and mental health. This should be a research priority. Research limitations/implications The lack of a bidirectional link – that is to say, chronic mental ill-health impinging on inflammation (and not just the other way around, as now). Practical implications Much more research is needed here. Studies should nest measures of mental health outcomes AND markers of chronic inflammation in the same studies cohorts. Social implications The care of mental health sufferers is too fragmented and captured by existing practitioners and systems. The work could lead to a re-examination of these existing arrangements. Melding physical and mental health, not deliberately forcing them apart by prior designation. Originality/value This is an area as yet little explored in detail in the published literature. This work should serve as a stimulus and as a call-to-action.