Stress has long been recognized as a major factor in the development and exacerbation of various health conditions. Recent studies have shown that stress-related disorders may even be genetically linked to autoimmune disease. These findings are shedding new light on the complex relationship between stress, the immune system, and mental health, and have important implications for healthcare providers. In this article, we will explore the latest research on these links and what it means for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists working in the field of psychiatry.
A recent study has revealed that there is a link between stress-related disorders and autoimmune disease that can be attributed to genetic associations, familial coaggregation, and common biological pathways. The study utilized data obtained from Swedish nationwide registers that identified 4,123,631 individuals. They estimated familial coaggregation between stress-related disorders and autoimmune disease in seven cohorts with different degrees of kinship. Next, the researchers conducted analyses of the polygenic risk score (PRS) using individual-level genotyping data from 376,871 participants from the UK Biobank study. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics were used to perform genetic correlation and enrichment analyses.
By analyzing familial coaggregation, the researchers determined that the likelihood of concurrence of stress-related disorders and autoimmune disease decreased with descending kinship or genetic relatedness between pairs of relatives. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.51 (95% CI, 1.09–2.07) for monozygotic twins, 1.28 (95% CI, 0.97–1.68) for dizygotic twins, 1.16 (95% CI, 1.14–1.18) for full siblings, and 1.01 (95% CI, 0.98–1.03) for half cousins.
Moreover, the PRS of stress-related disorders significantly correlated with autoimmune disease, and the PRS of autoimmune disease itself correlated with stress-related disorders. GWAS summary statistics showed a genetic association of 0.26 (95% CI, 0.14–0.38) between these phenotypes, revealing ten common genes and five shared functional models, including one related to G-protein-coupled receptor pathways. The authors suggest that similar analyses performed for PTSD and specific autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroid disease, largely recapitulated the results of the main analyses.
Overall, this study highlights that the relationship between mental health disorders and autoimmune diseases is complex with genetic, familial, and biological factors being involved. The authors hope that these findings could be used to develop personalized treatment approaches for patients who have comorbidities of stress-related disorders and autoimmune diseases.
In conclusion, research has shown that stress-related disorders are genetically linked to autoimmune disease. This highlights the importance of addressing stress in the treatment and management of these illnesses. For doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, understanding the relationship between stress and autoimmune disease is crucial in providing effective and comprehensive care for their patients. By staying up-to-date on the latest research and treatment options, healthcare professionals can make a significant impact in improving the quality of life for those suffering from these conditions.
