[Exploring the association between mental stress, lymphocyte subset variations, and coronary lesion severity]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Immunology
• Psychosomatic Medicine

Context:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a significant health burden.
• The role of mental stress (MS) in cardiovascular disease progression is increasingly recognized.
• Lymphocyte subset alterations may mediate the impact of stress on cardiovascular health.

Purpose:

• To investigate the association between perceived mental stress (MS) and coronary lesion severity in CAD patients.
• To explore the relationship between MS, lymphocyte subsets, and coronary artery stenosis.
• To identify potential sex differences in these associations.

Summary:

• A study of 323 CAD patients found that increased MS, measured by the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14), correlated with higher Gensini scores (indicating lesion severity).
• Male CAD patients with elevated MS showed significantly higher Gensini scores and increased CD3+CD8+ T-cell counts.
• A positive correlation was observed between MS, Gensini scores, and CD3+CD8+ T-cell counts in male patients.

Impact:

• Findings suggest MS is a significant factor in CAD severity, particularly in men.
• The study identifies CD8+ T-cells as potential mediators in the MS-CAD relationship.
• Results emphasize the need to consider mental well-being in managing coronary artery disease.