Estres e infección

PTSD, Other Stress Disorders Linked to Serious Infection Risk

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM

Stress-related disorders are associated with increased risk for life-threatening infections, suggests a case-control study in The BMJ.

Using Swedish registries, researchers compared over 100,000 people diagnosed with a stress-related disorder — including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress reaction, and adjustment disorder — with unaffected siblings.

During roughly 8 years' follow-up, the incidence of life-threatening infections (e.g., sepsis, endocarditis meningitis) was significantly higher in those with diagnosed stress disorders than in their siblings (2.7 vs. 1.7 per 1000 person-years). Results were confirmed with a community-based cohort.

Long-term risk for these infections was lower when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were used during the year after stress-disorder diagnosis. 

The researchers and an editorialist say that an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines in stress disorders could play a role in the observed infections. 

The authors conclude: "Despite a relatively low absolute risk, the high mortality from life threatening infections calls for increased clinical awareness among health professionals caring for patients with stress related disorders."

The BMJ article (Free)

The BMJ editorial (Subscription required)

Background: NEJM Journal Watch Dermatology coverage of stress and infections (Free)

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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