Study Reveals Link Between Severe Stress and Life-Threatening Infections

Understanding the Impact of Chronic Stress

A recent study conducted in Sweden has explored the relationship between severe psychological stress and the occurrence of life-threatening infections. Chronic or heightened psychological stress can adversely affect various physiological systems, potentially increasing the risk of disease. Previous research in both animal and human subjects has indicated that stress alters the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the body’s primary stress response system, which in turn can compromise immune function. For instance, individuals under significant psychological stress have been found to have a heightened vulnerability to respiratory virus infections.

Stress-Related Disorders and Physiological Dysregulation

Stress-related disorders encompass a range of psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress reactions, that are triggered by traumatic events or significant life stressors. Individuals suffering from these disorders often experience physiological dysregulation as a consequence of severe stress.

Research Methodology

In an effort to further investigate the link between severe stress and life-threatening infections, Swedish researchers analyzed data from the nationwide registers spanning from 1987 to 2013. The study involved 144,919 individuals diagnosed with stress-related disorders, who were compared with 184,612 siblings of these individuals and an additional 1,449,190 individuals without any stress-related diagnosis.

Study Findings

The results, gathered over an approximate follow-up period of eight years, indicated that the incidence of life-threatening infections was notably higher among those diagnosed with stress-related disorders. Specifically, the occurrence rate was 2.9 per 1,000 persons in this group, compared to 1.7 in their siblings without a diagnosis and 1.3 in the matched individuals without a diagnosis. The most significant risks identified were associated with meningitis and endocarditis.

Factors Influencing Risk Ratios

Furthermore, the study revealed that individuals diagnosed at a younger age, especially those with substance use disorders, exhibited higher risk ratios. Conversely, those who were prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a common class of antidepressants, within the first year after their diagnosis showed a reduced hazard ratio.

Conclusion

This study suggests that, even after accounting for family background and existing physical and psychiatric conditions, there may be a significant association between stress-related disorders and life-threatening infections within the Swedish population.

Reference

Song, H. 2019. Stress related disorders and subsequent risk of life threatening infections: population-based sibling-controlled cohort study. [Online]. [27 November 2019]. Available from: https://www.bmj.com/content/367/bmj.l5784

Image Credit

Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay