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Puig-Perez S, Kozusznik M, Pulopulos M. Optimism as a key factor in coping with the common cold. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 37:100748. [PMID: 38524895 PMCID: PMC10957377 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100748] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The optimism trait is considered one of the most important psychological factors in protecting and promoting health. This study aims to investigate whether trait optimism may help to cope better with the common cold by reducing the subjective perception of cold symptoms and affecting the immune response. Methods To do so, 212 volunteers from the Pittsburg Cold Study 3 within the Common Cold Project were exposed to Rhinovirus (RV39). On the 5 days following the inoculation, a daily symptoms scale, nasal wash, and blood samples were collected to assess Jackson Symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, chills, and malaise) and control the Immune System response to infection (concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-α). Results Results showed that approximately 30% of the inoculated participants were finally diagnosed with a common cold, showing higher Jackson Symptom severity and Immune System Response (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα and IFNα). Importantly, moderation regression analyses showed that higher optimism scores were related to lower Jackson Symptom severity and TNFα response to infection in cold-diagnosed participants. Conclusions Our results provide important evidence for the protective role of optimism, a trait factor that promotes a better perception of wellbeing and less need for immune system resources to successfully cope with the common cold.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Puig-Perez
- Sara Puig Pérez: Research Group for Psychology and Quality of Life (PsiCal), Valencian International University, Valencia, Spain
| | - M.W. Kozusznik
- Malgorzata Wanda Kozusznik: Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organization, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - M.M. Pulopulos
- Matias Miguel Pulopulos Tripiana: Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
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Hagen M, Clark K, Kalita P, Serra G, Sanchez E, Varbiro G, Albasser MM. A real-world study of quality of life following treatment with xylometazoline hydrochloride in individuals with common cold. Ther Adv Respir Dis 2024; 18:17534666241228927. [PMID: 38372128 PMCID: PMC10878222 DOI: 10.1177/17534666241228927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The common cold is a frequent, acute, and mild upper respiratory human disease. Nasal congestion has been considered the most bothersome symptom in the common cold, impacting quality of life (QoL). Topical decongestants containing steroids benefit QoL in allergic rhinitis, but no published research has assessed the impact of topical decongestants on QoL in the common cold. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% (Otrivin, GSK Consumer Healthcare SARL, Switzerland) for up to 7 days on QoL in participants with nasal congestion associated with the common cold. DESIGN This was a decentralized, longitudinal, open-label study. METHODS The study enrolled 136 participants (⩾18 years) with early symptoms of the common cold, of which 102 were included in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population. Within 24 h of study product receipt, participants confirmed a 'plugged nose' and ⩾1 other common cold symptom. Primary endpoints were Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 (WURSS-21) total score, total and individual symptom scores, and total QoL score. Secondary endpoints were additional QoL scores. Exploratory and post hoc analyses included median days to resolution for each QoL factor and analyses of five QoL categories. RESULTS Consistent improvements in symptoms and QoL were seen in the mITT population. From day 1, improvements were seen in the 'plugged nose' symptom (p = 0.0023), WURSS-21 total QoL score, and all individual QoL scores (p < 0.0001 for all). After the last dose needed, significant improvements were seen in sleep quality (73%), vitality (76%), physical activity (71%), social activity (80%), and sensation (81%). No serious or unexpected adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION This study is the first to demonstrate in a real-life setting that treating nasal congestion in adults with xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% during the common cold positively impacts QoL factors relevant to daily living [Otrivin: Quality of Life (QoL) Impact in a Real-World Setting; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05556148].
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Hagen
- Haleon CH SARL, Route de l’Etraz 2, Nyon 1279, 1260, Switzerland
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Hendel MK, Rizzuto D, Grande G, Calderón-Larrañaga A, Laukka EJ, Fratiglioni L, Vetrano DL. Impact of Pneumonia on Cognitive Aging: A Longitudinal Propensity-Matched Cohort Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023; 78:1453-1460. [PMID: 36526613 PMCID: PMC10395566 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glac253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute clinical events, such as pneumonia, may impact physical functionality but their effect on cognition and the possible duration of this effect remains to be quantified. This study investigated the impact of pneumonia on cognitive trajectories and dementia development in older people. METHODS Data were obtained from 60+ years old individuals, who were assessed from 2001 to 2018 in the population-based SNAC-K study (Sweden). Participants were eligible if they were not institutionalized, had no dementia, and did not experience pneumonia 5 years prior to baseline (N = 2 063). A propensity score was derived to match 1:3 participants hospitalized with a diagnosis of pneumonia (N = 178), to nonexposed participants (N = 534). Mixed linear models were used to model cognitive decline. The hazard of dementia, clinically diagnosed by physicians following Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV, was estimated using Cox regression models. RESULTS We found a transient impact of pneumonia on cognitive decline in the first 2.5 years (B = -0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.75, -0.15). The hazard ratio (HR) for dementia was not statistically significantly increased in pneumonia participants (HR = 1.17, 95%CI 0.82, 1.66). CONCLUSIONS The transient impact of pneumonia on cognitive function suggests an increased need of health care for patients after a pneumonia-related hospitalization and reinforces the relevance of pneumonia prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merle K Hendel
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Debora Rizzuto
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giulia Grande
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erika J Laukka
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura Fratiglioni
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Davide L Vetrano
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden
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Kuchar E, Miśkiewicz K, Nitsch-Osuch A, Szenborn L. Pathophysiology of Clinical Symptoms in Acute Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 857:25-38. [PMID: 25786400 PMCID: PMC7121097 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2015_110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In this article we discuss the pathophysiology of common symptoms of acute viral respiratory infections (e.g., sneezing, nasal discharge, sore throat, cough, muscle pains, malaise, and mood changes). Since clinical symptoms are not sufficient to determine the etiology of viral respiratory tract infections, we believe that the host defense mechanisms are critical for the symptomatology. Consequently, this review of literature is focused on the pathophysiology of respiratory symptoms regardless of their etiology. We assume that despite a high prevalence of symptoms of respiratory infection, their pathogenesis is not widely known. A better understanding of the symptoms' pathogenesis could improve the quality of care for patients with respiratory tract infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kuchar
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, 2A Chalubinskiego Str., 50-368, Wroclaw, Poland,
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Smith AP. Effects of upper respiratory tract illnesses and stress on alertness and reaction time. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:2003-9. [PMID: 23608139 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT It has been shown that stress increases susceptibility to the upper respiratory tract illnesses (URTIs) such as the common cold. Compared to healthy individuals, those with URTIs also report reduced alertness and have slower reaction times. OBJECTIVE The present study investigated whether those with an URTI who had been exposed to stressful events showed greater impairments than either individuals without a cold or those with an illness and low stress exposure. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted. The volunteers (360 young adults) were recruited when healthy and completed questionnaires measuring negative life events, personality and health-related behaviours. They also rated their alertness and performed a simple reaction task. If volunteers developed an upper respiratory illness they returned to the laboratory and completed a symptom check list and had nasal secretion and sub-lingual temperature recorded. They also completed a questionnaire measuring recent daily hassles. Alertness and simple reaction time were also recorded again. Those who did not develop a cold were recalled as controls 12 weeks after the start of the study. Analyses of covariance were carried out comparing colds/no colds and high/low stress groups. Baseline measures were included as covariates. RESULTS 356 participants completed the study. 120 developed URTIs and 236 were re-tested as controls. The frequency and severity of daily hassles were associated with symptom severity. Alertness was reduced and simple reaction time was slower in the URTIs group and the high stress/ill group showed the biggest impairments. These effects remained significant when health related behaviours and personality were covaried. The difference between the high and low stress URTI groups did not reflect symptom severity. INTERPRETATION The behavioural impairments induced by the common cold are greater when the person has been exposed to stressful events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Smith
- Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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Twenty-five years of research on the behavioural malaise associated with influenza and the common cold. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:744-51. [PMID: 23021498 PMCID: PMC7130811 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Minor illnesses such as the common cold and influenza are frequent and widespread. As well as specific symptoms such as nasal problems and fever, these illnesses are associated with a behavioural malaise. One feature of this malaise is reduced alertness and this has been confirmed using subjective reports and objective measures of performance. Such effects have been obtained with both experimentally induced infections and in studies of naturally occurring illnesses. The mechanisms underlying the effects are unclear but possibly reflect effects of cytokines on the CNS which result in changes in neurotransmitter functioning that lead to reduced alertness. The malaise induced by these illnesses has many real-life consequences and activities such as driving and safety at work may be at risk. These illnesses not only have direct effects on performance and mood but also make the person more sensitive to effects of other negative influences such as noise, alcohol and prolonged work. Countermeasures include ingestion of caffeine and other drugs known to increase alertness.
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Saxena RC, Singh R, Kumar P, Yadav SC, Negi MPS, Saxena VS, Joshua AJ, Vijayabalaji V, Goudar KS, Venkateshwarlu K, Amit A. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis paniculata (KalmCold) in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2010; 17:178-185. [PMID: 20092985 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Revised: 10/31/2009] [Accepted: 12/07/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A randomized, double blind placebo controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of KalmCold, an extract of Andrographis paniculata, in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). The assessment involved quantification of symptom scores by Visual Analogue Scale. Nine self evaluated symptoms of cough, expectoration, nasal discharge, headache, fever, sore throat, earache, malaise/fatigue and sleep disturbance were scored. A total of 223 patients of both sexes were randomized in two groups which received either KalmCold (200 mg/day) or placebo in a double blind manner. In both the treatments, mean scores of all symptoms showed a decreasing trend from day 1 to day 3 but from day 3 to day 5 most of the symptoms in placebo treated group either remained unchanged (cough, headache and earache) or got aggravated (sore throat and sleep disturbance) whereas in KalmCold treated group all symptoms showed a decreasing trend. Within groups, mean scores of symptoms in both the groups decreased significantly (p < or = 0.05) from day 1 to day 3 and day 5 while from day 3 to day 5 all symptoms except expectoration in placebo group did not improve significantly whereas in KalmCold treated group all symptoms improved significantly (p < or = 0.05) except earache. Comparing mean between both groups, all symptoms at day 1 and day 3 were found to be the same while at day 5 all symptoms except earache in KalmCold treated group improved significantly (p < or = 0.05) than placebo group. Similarly, within groups, overall scores of all symptoms in both the groups decreased significantly (p < or = 0.05) from day 1 to day 3 and day 5 while from day 3 to day 5 placebo group did not improve significantly whereas KalmCold treated group showed significant improvement (p < or = 0.05). On between groups analysis, KalmCold group showed significant reduction (p < or = 0.05) in overall symptom scores as compared to placebo group. In both placebo and KalmCold treated groups, there were only a few minor adverse effects with no significant difference in occurrence (Z = 0.63; p > 0.05). The comparison of overall efficacy of KalmCold over placebo was found to be significant (p < or = 0.05) and it was 2.1 times (52.7%) higher than placebo. The findings of this study revealed that KalmCold was effective in reducing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Saxena
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
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Abstract
It is the familiar symptoms of sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion, muscle aches, chilliness and fever, etc., that define the common cold and flu syndromes as self-diagnosed illnesses. Although there is much information about the molecular biology of the viruses that cause the common cold and flu syndromes, there is relatively little research on the immunological, physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in generating the symptoms. This chapter studies the mechanisms that cause local symptoms associated with local inflammation of the airway (sore throat, sneezing, rhinorrhoea and purulent nasal discharge, nasal congestion, sinus pain, watery eyes and cough), and the mechanisms that cause systemic symptoms associated with release of cytokines from leukocytes (headache, chilliness and fever, psychological effects, malaise and mood changes, loss of appetite, and muscle aches and pains).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Eccles
- grid.5600.30000000108075670Common Cold Centre Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX UK
| | - Olaf Weber
- grid.10388.320000000122403300Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
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Bucks RS, Gidron Y, Harris P, Teeling J, Wesnes KA, Perry VH. Selective effects of upper respiratory tract infection on cognition, mood and emotion processing: a prospective study. Brain Behav Immun 2008; 22:399-407. [PMID: 17967526 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2007.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2007] [Revised: 08/30/2007] [Accepted: 09/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Observational and experimentally induced infection studies show that upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) affect mood and cognition. This study tested the effects of naturally occurring URTI on cognition, mood and emotional processing, using a prospective design, with a broader array of tests than previous research, and with well matched control participants. Eighty participants (42 younger, M age 20.3 years; 38 older, M age 64.3 years) underwent neuropsychological assessment at baseline. Once a participant had URTI symptoms, s/he and a healthy, matched participant were retested. The Cognitive Drug Research computerised assessment battery was used to assess Power and Continuity of Attention, Quality of Episodic and Working Memory, Speed of Memory, and mood. Additionally, emotional processing was measured on matching of emotionally-negative faces with faces and faces with labels. Forty-two of 80 participants were matched (21 well, 21 ill). Well participants improved in Speed of Memory and face-label reaction time. Despite a lack of fever, ill participants demonstrated significantly smaller improvements. Older participants reported feeling less alert if ill, and less stressed if well, than at baseline. All ill participants reported less contentment than at baseline than well participants. Severity of URTI symptoms correlated with changes in Speed of Memory and mood. Even without fever, infectious disease produces large disturbances in speed of cognitive processing, particularly that reflecting retrieval from memory, and these effects are more marked in older participants. URTIs also affect mood. Future studies need to examine the role of inflammatory molecules and the brain regions implicated in mediating these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Eccles
- Common Cold Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3US
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Abstract
The common cold and influenza (flu) are the most common syndromes of infection in human beings. These diseases are diagnosed on symptomatology, and treatments are mainly symptomatic, yet our understanding of the mechanisms that generate the familiar symptoms is poor compared with the amount of knowledge available on the molecular biology of the viruses involved. New knowledge of the effects of cytokines in human beings now helps to explain some of the symptoms of colds and flu that were previously in the realm of folklore rather than medicine-eg, fever, anorexia, malaise, chilliness, headache, and muscle aches and pains. The mechanisms of symptoms of sore throat, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal congestion, cough, watery eyes, and sinus pain are discussed, since these mechanisms are not dealt with in any detail in standard medical textbooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Eccles
- Common Cold Centre, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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