Southampton and Edinburgh-based researchers have discovered that even low levels of psychological distress could increase the risk of developing some chronic diseases.
A study led by Catharine Gale, professor of cognitive epidemiology at the Medical Research Council’s Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (MRC LEU) in Southampton, assessed over 16,000 adults over a three year period.
Stress as a risk factor
Psychological distress describes a wide range of mental health symptoms from mild anxiety and depression to severe psychiatric disease.
Results, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, showed that even low and moderate levels of distress was a significant risk factor in developing chronic conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
Using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), the team examined whether the level of psychological distress was linked with the later development of several chronic diseases. Links between health habits – such as diet, exercise and smoking – or socioeconomic status were also explored.
The UKHLS began in 2009 and gathers data on health, psychological factors and socioeconomic status annually from a population sample selected from over 39,000 UK households. Participants are asked to indicate how frequently they experience 12 common symptoms of psychological distress.
“Although the relationship between significant distress and the onset of arthritis, COPD, cardiovascular disease and diabetes is well established, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the link between lower and moderate levels of distress and the development of chronic conditions,” said Professor Gale, who is based at the University of Southampton.
“Our findings show that even low levels of distress, below the level usually considered clinically significant, appear to increase the risk of developing a chronic disease, so intervention to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression may help to prevent the onset of these illnesses for some people.”
Significant findings
The study found that compared to people with no symptoms of distress, the chances of developing arthritis were 57% higher in those with low levels of distress, 72% higher in those with moderate levels and 110% higher in those with high levels.
In cardiovascular disease, compared to people with no symptoms of distress, the risk of developing this condition was 46% higher in those with low levels of distress, 77% higher at moderate levels and 189% higher in those with high levels. In COPD, the risk was only increased in those with moderate (125%) or high (148%) levels of distress.
There were no significant associations between psychological distress and risk of diabetes.
“These findings have considerable clinical and public health implications.
“Screening for distress may help to identify those at risk of developing arthritis, COPD and cardiovascular disease, while interventions to improve distress may help to prevent and limit progression of disease, even for people with low levels of distress.”
“This fascinating data has the potential to have a major impact on the development and management of chronic diseases, which could not only save and change lives but also significantly reduce costs across the health service” added Professor Cyrus Cooper, a consultant rheumatologist and director of the MRC LEU.
Posted on Friday 3 August 2018