1
|
Parks CG, Pettinger M, de Roos AJ, Tindle HA, Walitt BT, Howard BV. Life Events, Caregiving, and Risk of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023; 75:2519-2528. [PMID: 37230960 PMCID: PMC10798355 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growing evidence suggests psychosocial stressors may increase risk of developing autoimmune disease. We examined stressful life events and caregiving in relation to incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study cohort. METHODS The sample of postmenopausal women included 211 incident RA or SLE cases reported within 3 years after enrollment, confirmed by use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (i.e., probable RA/SLE), and 76,648 noncases. Baseline questionnaires asked about life events in the past year, caregiving, and social support. We used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, occupational class, education, pack-years of smoking and BMI. RESULTS Incident RA/SLE was associated with reporting 3 or more life events (e.g., age-adjusted HR 1.70 [95% CI 1.14, 2.53]; P for trend = 0.0026). Elevated HRs were noted for physical (HR 2.48 [95% CI 1.02, 6.04]) and verbal (HR 1.34 [0.89, 2.02]) abuse (P for trend = 0.0614), 2 or more interpersonal events (HR 1.23 [95% CI 0.87, 1.73]; P for trend = 0.2403), financial stress (HR 1.22 [95% CI 0.90, 1.64]), and caregiving 3 or more days per week (HR 1.25 [95% CI 0.87, 1.81]; P for trend = 0.2571). Results were similar, excluding women with baseline symptoms of depression or moderate-to-severe joint pain in the absence of diagnosed arthritis. CONCLUSION Our findings support the idea that diverse stressors may increase risk of developing probable RA or SLE in postmenopausal women, supporting the need for further studies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including childhood adverse events, life event trajectories, and modifying psychosocial and socioeconomic factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine G. Parks
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Mary Pettinger
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Anneclaire J. de Roos
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hilary A. Tindle
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers, Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN
| | - Brian T. Walitt
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Barbara V. Howard
- Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Washington, DC, USA; MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Romão VC, Fonseca JE. Disease mechanisms in preclinical rheumatoid arthritis: A narrative review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:689711. [PMID: 36059838 PMCID: PMC9437632 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.689711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, the concept of preclinical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has become established. In fact, the discovery that disease mechanisms start years before the onset of clinical RA has been one of the major recent insights in the understanding of RA pathogenesis. In accordance with the complex nature of the disease, preclinical events extend over several sequential phases. In a genetically predisposed host, environmental factors will further increase susceptibility for incident RA. In the initial steps of preclinical disease, immune disturbance mechanisms take place outside the joint compartment, namely in mucosal surfaces, such as the lung, gums or gut. Herein, the persistent immunologic response to altered antigens will lead to breach of tolerance and trigger autoimmunity. In a second phase, the immune response matures and is amplified at a systemic level, with epitope spreading and widening of the autoantibody repertoire. Finally, the synovial and bone compartment are targeted by specific autoantibodies against modified antigens, initiating a local inflammatory response that will eventually culminate in clinically evident synovitis. In this review, we discuss the elaborate disease mechanisms in place during preclinical RA, providing a broad perspective in the light of current evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasco C. Romão
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon Academic Medical Centre and European Reference Network on Rare Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases Network (ERN-ReCONNET), Lisbon, Portugal
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Eurico Fonseca
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Romão VC, Fonseca JE. Etiology and Risk Factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A State-of-the-Art Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:689698. [PMID: 34901047 PMCID: PMC8661097 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.689698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common systemic inflammatory rheumatic disease. It is associated with significant burden at the patient and societal level. Extensive efforts have been devoted to identifying a potential cause for the development of RA. Epidemiological studies have thoroughly investigated the association of several factors with the risk and course of RA. Although a precise etiology remains elusive, the current understanding is that RA is a multifactorial disease, wherein complex interactions between host and environmental factors determine the overall risk of disease susceptibility, persistence and severity. Risk factors related to the host that have been associated with RA development may be divided into genetic; epigenetic; hormonal, reproductive and neuroendocrine; and comorbid host factors. In turn, environmental risk factors include smoking and other airborne exposures; microbiota and infectious agents; diet; and socioeconomic factors. In the present narrative review, aimed at clinicians and researchers in the field of RA, we provide a state-of-the-art overview of the current knowledge on this topic, focusing on recent progresses that have improved our comprehension of disease risk and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasco C Romão
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon Academic Medical Centre and European Reference Network on Rare Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases Network (ERN-ReCONNET), Lisbon, Portugal.,Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Eurico Fonseca
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon Academic Medical Centre and European Reference Network on Rare Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases Network (ERN-ReCONNET), Lisbon, Portugal.,Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Germain V, Scherlinger M, Barnetche T, Pichon C, Balageas A, Lequen L, Shipley E, Foret J, Dublanc S, Capuron L, Schaeverbeke T. Role of stress in the development of rheumatoid arthritis: a case-control study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:629-637. [PMID: 32533144 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to assess the stressful life events preceding the onset of symptoms in RA. The secondary objectives were to assess how early RA patients perceive stress and cope with stressors. METHODS A case-control study was performed, comparing patients recently diagnosed with RA to age- and gender-matched control subjects recently hospitalized for an unplanned surgical procedure not known to be influenced by stress. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale assessed the cumulative stress induced by stressful life events in the year preceding the onset of symptoms. Coping strategies, stress and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using validated psychological scales. RESULTS Seventy-six subjects were included in each group. The mean Social Readjustment Rating Scale score was twice as high in cases compared with controls [respectively, 167.0 (172.5) vs 83.3 (124.4), P < 0.001]. The association between cumulative stress and RA was statistically significant only in women, with a dose-dependent association between stress and RA. While female patients with RA attributed more often the onset of symptoms to a life event than female controls (70.2 vs 24.5%, P < 0.001), no significant difference was found when comparing male RA patients with male controls (26.9 vs 18.5%, respectively, P = 0.46). Increased perceived stress score (P = 0.04) and coping based on emotions (P = 0.001) were found in cases compared with controls. CONCLUSION Patients with early RA reported more life events in the year preceding the onset of symptoms than controls. Gender specificities were found with a significant association between cumulative stress and RA only in women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Germain
- Service de Rhumatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marc Scherlinger
- Service de Rhumatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thomas Barnetche
- Service de Rhumatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Clémence Pichon
- Centre Hospitalier de Pau, Service de Rhumatologie, Pau, France
| | | | - Laurence Lequen
- Centre Hospitalier de Pau, Service de Rhumatologie, Pau, France
| | - Emilie Shipley
- Centre Hospitalier de Dax, Service de Rhumatologie, Dax, France
| | - Jennifer Foret
- Centre Hospitalier de Dax, Service de Rhumatologie, Dax, France
| | - Stéphanie Dublanc
- Centre Hospitalier de Libourne, Service de Rhumatologie, Libourne, France
| | - Lucile Capuron
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Laboratoire de Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, INRA, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thierry Schaeverbeke
- Service de Rhumatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schwetlik SN, Baldock KL, Hill CL, Ferrar K. Chronic stress and arthritis: a scoping review. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2020; 74:982-996. [PMID: 33278062 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Emerging research supports the role of chronic stress in chronic disease development. This scoping review aimed to map the field of research exploring relationships between chronic stress and the development of arthritis in adult populations. METHODS Five electronic databases were systematically searched without publication limits based on three key concepts: stress, arthritis and adults. Eligible qualitative studies investigated individuals' perceived causes of arthritis; quantitative studies investigated relationships between exposure to a chronic stressor and an arthritis presence outcome. Articles were screened by two independent reviewers and data were narratively synthesised. RESULTS Of 1819 unique records, 54 studies met inclusion criteria. Nine studies used qualitative methods and 45 used quantitative methods. Studies increased chronologically, with half (n = 27) published since 2010. Chronic stress exposures were heterogenous; most were categorised as adverse life events (n = 22) or adverse childhood experiences (n = 17). Self-reported arthritis was the most frequent measure of arthritis outcome (n = 26) in quantitative studies. A majority of studies (n = 41) suggested a relationship between exposure to chronic stressors and arthritis development. CONCLUSION Increasing study numbers in the past decade may reflect increasing awareness of the potential impact of chronic stress in arthritis development, consistent with a biopsychosocial approach to chronic disease aetiology and management. Further research, using precise arthritis definitions, conducted within a clearly articulated pathophysiological framework, is required to establish a causal relationship between exposure to chronic stressors and the development of specific arthritis conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Schwetlik
- UniSA: Allied Health and Human Performance, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Katherine L Baldock
- UniSA: Allied Health and Human Performance, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Catherine L Hill
- Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Katia Ferrar
- UniSA: Allied Health and Human Performance, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boer AC, Ten Brinck RM, Evers AWM, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. Does psychological stress in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia associate with subclinical inflammation and progression to inflammatory arthritis? Arthritis Res Ther 2018; 20:93. [PMID: 29724244 PMCID: PMC5934795 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-018-1587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Within established rheumatoid arthritis (RA), stress can have pro-inflammatory effects by activating the immune system via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system. It is unknown if stress levels also promote inflammation during RA development. We studied whether the psychological stress response was increased in clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) and if this associated with inflammation at presentation with arthralgia and with progression to clinical arthritis. Methods In 241 CSA patients, psychological stress was measured by the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) at first presentation and during follow-up. Systemic inflammation was measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) and joint inflammation by 1.5 T-MRI of wrist, MCP, and MTP joints. Results At baseline, 12% (24/197) of CSA patients had a high psychological stress response according to the MHI-5. This was not different for patients presenting with or without an elevated CRP, with or without subclinical MRI-detected inflammation and for patients who did or did not develop arthritis. Similar findings were obtained with the PSS-10. When developing clinical arthritis, the percentage of patients with ‘high psychological stress’ increased to 31% (p = 0.025); during the first year of treatment this decreased to 8% (p = 0.020). ‘High psychological stress’ in non-progressors remained infrequent over time (range 7–13%). Stress was associated with fatigue (p = 0.003) and wellbeing (p < 0.001). Conclusions Psychological stress was not increased in the phase of arthralgia, raised at the time of diagnoses and decreased thereafter. The lack of an association with inflammation in arthralgia and this temporal relationship, argue against psychological stress having a significant contribution to progression from CSA to inflammatory arthritis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1587-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleid C Boer
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Robin M Ten Brinck
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Department of Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science, Leiden University and Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
IL-23 Responsive Innate-Like T Cells in Spondyloarthritis: the Less Frequent They Are, the More Vital They Appear. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2015; 17:30. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-015-0507-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|