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Psychobiological stress in vital exhaustion. Findings from the Men Stress 40+ study

Emilou Noser1, Susanne Fischer2, Jessica Ruppen1

  • 1University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Switzerland; University of Zurich, University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, Switzerland.

Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|January 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Vital exhaustion (VE) is linked to cardiovascular risk. This study found that biological stress markers, indicating allostatic load, were elevated in men with vital exhaustion, suggesting an early mechanism for cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Stress Physiology

Background:

  • Vital exhaustion (VE) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity.
  • The pathophysiological links between VE and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are not fully understood.
  • Allostatic load is hypothesized to mediate the relationship between VE and CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in allostatic load, chronic stress, and social support among men with varying degrees of VE.
  • To explore potential early biological markers of CVD risk in relation to VE.

Main Methods:

  • The study included 121 apparently healthy men aged 40-75 years.
  • Allostatic load was assessed using salivary cortisol, DHEA-S, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure.
  • Hair cortisol and DHEA, chronic stress, and social support were also measured.

Main Results:

  • Men with mild or severe VE exhibited the highest cumulative biological stress scores.
  • Hair DHEA levels were highest in men with substantial exhaustion.
  • Mild exhaustion correlated with lower chronic stress, while severe exhaustion correlated with lower social support.

Conclusions:

  • Allostatic load markers are detectable in vitally exhausted men before significant cardiovascular complications arise.
  • These findings suggest that allostatic load may represent an early pathophysiological link between VE and future cardiovascular events.
Abstract

Keywords:
Allostatic loadCortisolSocial supportStressVital exhaustion

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