Skin, psyche, immune system - A vector-time series model

Time-series models were used increasingly for the analysis of complex inter acting systems in psychological and social sciences research. Taking atopic dermatitis as a psychosomatic disease model, the interaction of moods (dep ression, activation and aggression) psychoneuroimmunological standard param eter such as salivary cortisol and secretory IgA (sIgA) and skin complaints is studied by vector auto regression (VAR)- und vector error correction (V EC)-models. Using a standardized diary technique, moods and skin symptoms w ere documented and saliva samples were secured. In addition, setting factor s and the rhythm of the week were noted. It could be shown by a VAR-model that the severity of skin symptomatology w as predicted by a decrease of sIgA. If the skin was already affected, this was followed by a deactivated mood. Skin symptoms were also influenced by s etting factors (family therapy and temporary discontinuation of the therapy ). sIgA was modulated (VEC-model) by depressive, de-activated moods and psy chosocial influences (weekend). Cortisol in saliva was increased by a famil y therapy session. VAR- and VEC-models, therefore, may be used successfully in multivariate ti me-series models under control of autocorrelative processes. In addition, t hey enable the analysis of feed back circles in a bio-psycho-somatic proces s.