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1.
Chronic stress and asthma in adolescents.
Landeo-Gutierrez, J, Celedón, JC
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. 2020;(4):393-398
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE First, to review and critically discuss published evidence on psychosocial stressors, stress, and asthma in adolescents and, then, discuss potential future directions in this field. DATA SOURCES The data source is the National Library of Medicine (PubMed database). STUDY SELECTIONS A literature search was conducted for human studies on stressors or stress and asthma between 2000 and 2020. Studies that were published in English, contained a full text, and included adolescents were considered for inclusion in this review. RESULTS Compared with the available body of evidence in children and adults, relatively few studies have been published in adolescents. Current evidence suggests that exposure to stressors (at the individual, family, and community levels) or stress (acute and chronic) is associated with asthma and worse asthma outcomes, but such evidence must be cautiously interpreted owing to limitations in the design or the analytical approach of the published studies. CONCLUSION Future large studies with a prospective design should determine whether and how stressors or stress causes or worsens asthma in adolescents. At present, clinicians should assess exposure to stressors (eg, violence or abuse) and screen for anxiety and depressive disorders when caring for adolescents with asthma in addition to providing referrals to social workers or mental health professionals when appropriate. Public health policies are needed to reduce psychosocial stressors, such as gun violence and racism, in adolescents.
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Early-onset colorectal cancer: initial clues and current views.
Hofseth, LJ, Hebert, JR, Chanda, A, Chen, H, Love, BL, Pena, MM, Murphy, EA, Sajish, M, Sheth, A, Buckhaults, PJ, et al
Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology. 2020;(6):352-364
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Abstract
Over the past several decades, the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC; in patients <50 years old) has increased at an alarming rate. Although robust and scientifically rigorous epidemiological studies have sifted out environmental elements linked to EOCRC, our knowledge of the causes and mechanisms of this disease is far from complete. Here, we highlight potential risk factors and putative mechanisms that drive EOCRC and suggest likely areas for fruitful research. In addition, we identify inconsistencies in the evidence implicating a strong effect of increased adiposity and suggest that certain behaviours (such as diet and stress) might place nonobese and otherwise healthy people at risk of this disease. Key risk factors are reviewed, including the global westernization of diets (usually involving a high intake of red and processed meats, high-fructose corn syrup and unhealthy cooking methods), stress, antibiotics, synthetic food dyes, monosodium glutamate, titanium dioxide, and physical inactivity and/or sedentary behaviour. The gut microbiota is probably at the crossroads of these risk factors and EOCRC. The time course of the disease and the fact that relevant exposures probably occur in childhood raise important methodological issues that are also discussed.
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Multi-modal prehabilitation: addressing the why, when, what, how, who and where next?
Scheede-Bergdahl, C, Minnella, EM, Carli, F
Anaesthesia. 2019;:20-26
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Abstract
Just as there is growing interest in enhancing recovery after surgery, prehabilitation is becoming a recognised means of preparing the patient physically for their operation and/or subsequent treatment. Exercise training is an important stimulus for improving low cardiovascular fitness and preserving lean muscle mass, which are critical factors in how well the patient recovers from surgery. Despite the usual focus on exercise, it is important to recognise the contribution of nutritional optimisation and psychological wellbeing for both the adherence and the response to the physical training stimulus. This article reviews the importance of a multi-modal approach to prehabilitation in order to maximise its impact in the pre-surgical period, as well as critical future steps in its development and integration in the healthcare system.
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Hypertension linked to allostatic load: from psychosocial stress to inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Mocayar Marón, FJ, Ferder, L, Saraví, FD, Manucha, W
Stress (Amsterdam, Netherlands). 2019;(2):169-181
Abstract
Although a large number of available treatments and strategies, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to grow worldwide. Emerging evidence supports the notion of counteracting stress as a critical component of a comprehensive therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular disease. Indeed, an unhealthy lifestyle is a burden to biological variables such as plasma glucose, lipid profile, and blood pressure control. Recent findings identify allostatic load as a new paradigm for an integrated understanding of the importance of psychosocial stress and its impact on the development and maintenance of cardiovascular disease. Allostasis complement homeostasis and integrates behavioral and physiological mechanisms by which genes, early experiences, environment, lifestyle, diet, sleep, and physical exercise can modulate and adapt biological responses at the cellular level. For example, variability is a physiological characteristic of blood pressure necessary for survival and the allostatic load in hypertension can contribute to its related cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the current review will focus on the mechanisms that link hypertension to allostatic load, which includes psychosocial stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We will describe and discuss new insights on neuroendocrine-immune effects linked to allostatic load and its impact on the cellular and molecular responses; the links between allostatic load, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction; the epidemiological evidence supporting the pathophysiological origins of hypertension; and the biological embedding of allostatic load and hypertension with an emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Resilience priming: Translational models for understanding resiliency and adaptation to early life adversity.
Kentner, AC, Cryan, JF, Brummelte, S
Developmental psychobiology. 2019;(3):350-375
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Abstract
Despite the increasing attention to early life adversity and its long-term consequences on health, behavior, and the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, our understanding of the adaptations and interventions that promote resiliency and rescue against such insults are underexplored. Specifically, investigations of the perinatal period often focus on negative events/outcomes. In contrast, positive experiences (i.e. enrichment/parental care//healthy nutrition) favorably influence development of the nervous and endocrine systems. Moreover, some stressors result in adaptations and demonstrations of later-life resiliency. This review explores the underlying mechanisms of neuroplasticity that follow some of these early life experiences and translates them into ideas for interventions in pediatric settings. The emerging role of the gut microbiome in mediating stress susceptibility is also discussed. Since many negative outcomes of early experiences are known, it is time to identify mechanisms and mediators that promote resiliency against them. These range from enrichment, quality parental care, dietary interventions and those that target the gut microbiota.
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The association between chronic psychological stress and uterine fibroids risk: A meta-analysis of observational studies.
Qin, H, Lin, Z, Vásquez, E, Xu, L
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress. 2019;(5):585-594
Abstract
The association between chronic psychological stress and uterine fibroids (UFs) risk remains unclear. In this study, a meta-analysis of observational studies was performed to explore the reported association between them. A literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science to identify relevant published articles. A random-effect model was used to examine pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Additionally, subgroup analyses and two-stage random-effect dose-response meta-analysis were performed. A total of six articles with seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. For the highest versus lowest category of chronic psychological stress, the pooled OR was 1.24 (95% CI [1.15, 1.34]; p = .000). Through subgroup analyses, we found a positive association between chronic psychological stress and UFs risk especially in non-Hispanic Blacks studies (OR, 1.24, 95% CI [1.14, 1.34], p = .000). When evaluating for a dose-response, we found a weak correlation between chronic psychological stress and UFs risk, especially for the severe (OR, 1.17, 95% CI [1.07, 1.29]) and very severe (OR, 1.23, 95% CI [1.07, 1.41]) categories. Our meta-analysis shows a statistically significant association between chronic psychological stress and UFs risk particularly for non-Hispanic Blacks. Interventions aiming to reduce chronic psychological stress may be useful to decrease the prevalence of UFs.
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Adult attachment and physical health.
Pietromonaco, PR, Beck, LA
Current opinion in psychology. 2019;:115-120
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Abstract
This article examines how individual differences in adult attachment shape regulatory strategies and relationship behaviors, which in turn influence health-related responses, behaviors, and outcomes. We review links between attachment and physiological responses to stress (e.g., hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses, cardiovascular responses, immune responses), health behavior (e.g., substance use, diet), and downstream health and disease outcomes. Recent evidence suggests that attachment insecurity (attachment anxiety and/or attachment avoidance) is associated with dysregulated physiological responses to stress, risky health behaviors, susceptibility to physical illness, and poorer disease outcomes. These associations depend, in part, on the relationship context, including the other partner's attachment style and behavior. We suggest that a dyadic approach considering both partners' attachment styles and behaviors will enhance interventions to promote health.
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Exercise Counteracts the Cardiotoxicity of Psychosocial Stress.
O'Keefe, EL, O'Keefe, JH, Lavie, CJ
Mayo Clinic proceedings. 2019;(9):1852-1864
Abstract
Physical inactivity and psychosocial stress are prevalent in residents of the United States. The purpose of this article is to review the interaction between these 2 conditions and examine the effects of exercise on stress and cardiovascular (CV) health. A query of scientific references between 1974 to 2018 was performed using the PubMed search engine accessing the MEDLINE database using the search terms psychosocial stress, CV disease (CVD), physical activity, exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, and team sports. Psychosocial stress is a strong independent risk factor for adverse CV events. Conversely, people who experience CV events subsequently have drastically elevated rates of new-onset mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Psychosocial stress and CVD often trigger self-reinforcing feedback loops that can worsen mental health and cardiac prognosis. Exercise predictably improves CV health and prognosis and also is effective at lowering levels of psychosocial stress. Group exercise in particular seems to provide social support while at the same time boosting fitness levels and, thus, may be the single most important intervention for patients with concomitant CVD and emotional stress. Collaborative physical activity, such as group exercise, team sports, interactive physical play, and cardiac rehabilitation programs, have the potential to improve mental health and CV prognosis.
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[Effect of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on human health: A review of the literature].
Li, Q
Sante publique (Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France). 2019;(HS):135-143
Abstract
Humans have enjoyed forest environments for ages because of the quiet atmosphere, beautiful scenery, mild climate, pleasant aromas, and fresh, clean air. In Japan, since 2004, serial studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of forest environments on human health. We have established a new medical science called Forest Medicine. The Forest Medicine is a new interdisciplinary science, belonging to the categories of alternative medicine, environmental medicine and preventive medicine, which encompasses the effects of forest environments on human health. It has been reported that forest environments have the following beneficial effects on human health:1. Increase human natural killer (NK) activity, the number of NK cells, and the intracellular levels of anti-cancer proteins, suggesting a preventive effect on cancers.2. Reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones, such as urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline and salivary cortisol.3. Increase the activity of parasympathetic nerves and reduce the activity of sympathetic nerves.4. Increase the levels of serum adiponectin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.5. In the Profile of Mood States (POMS) test, reduce the scores for anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion, and increase the score for vigor, showing psychological effects as well.These findings suggest that forest environments may have preventive effects on lifestyle-related diseases.
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Ten Surprising Facts About Stressful Life Events and Disease Risk.
Cohen, S, Murphy, MLM, Prather, AA
Annual review of psychology. 2019;:577-597
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Abstract
After over 70 years of research on the association between stressful life events and health, it is generally accepted that we have a good understanding of the role of stressors in disease risk. In this review, we highlight that knowledge but also emphasize misunderstandings and weaknesses in this literature with the hope of triggering further theoretical and empirical development. We organize this review in a somewhat provocative manner, with each section focusing on an important issue in the literature where we feel that there has been some misunderstanding of the evidence and its implications. Issues that we address include the definition of a stressful event, characteristics of diseases that are impacted by events, differences in the effects of chronic and acute events, the cumulative effects of events, differences in events across the life course, differences in events for men and women, resilience to events, and methodological challenges in the literature.