The authors examined the immune function of 18 college entrance-exam repeater group (experimental group) who are considered to experience psychological stress, comparing with university student group(control group) who are not subjected to such
condition. We measured the numbers and ratio of T-cell subsets(including T4 and T8) as well as B-cell and total lymphocyte count in both groups.
In comparing the experimental group with the control group, the former showed increased numbers of leukocyte, total lymphocyte. T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte, but significant difference was not found in the percentage of B-lymphocyte. T8
percentage, and
T4/T8 ratio. But there was decrease in the percentage of T-lymphocyte and T4 in the experimental group. As was shown in the results of the study. we comfirmed partially the change of immune function especially decrease of cell-mediated immunity
which
may be the results of psychological stress associated with examination.
In our opinion further studies should focuse on the elucidation of whether these findings observed in our research are a direct effect of psychological stress or the attributable variable are involved. Moreover, clinical implications of change of
immune
function in this study should be clarified in the subsequent study.
For this purpose, qualitative immunologic tests as well as neurondocrinologic tests should be included in the future studies.
|