Key result
High chronic stress is linked to greater fatty liver index and visceral adiposity versus very high stress.
Why the study?
The impact of different chronic psychological stress loads on cardiometabolic risk is poorly understood.
Does the level of chronic psychological stress (high vs very high) influence cardiometabolic risk factors?
Cross-Sectional (n=61)
No
Does the level of chronic psychological stress (high vs very high) influence cardiometabolic risk factors?
p-value: p=0.045
High chronic stress is associated with greater cardiometabolic risk factors compared to very high chronic stress, which is more strongly associated with psychological-neurological symptoms.
High stress may differentially affect cardiometabolic vs neurological risk; leaves open intensity-specific targeting in prospective studies.
Chronic psychological stress can result in physiological and mental health risks via the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, sympathoadrenal activity and emotion-focused coping strategies. The impact of different stress loads on cardiometabolic risk is poorly understood. This post hoc analysis of a randomized pilot study was conducted on 61 participants (18–65 years of age) with perceived chronic stress. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ30), Psychological Neurological Questionnaire (PNF), anthropometric, clinical and blood parameters were assessed. Subjects were assigned to ‘high stress’ (HS; PSQ30 score: 0.573 ± 0.057) and ‘very high stress’ (VHS; PSQ30 score: 0.771 ± 0.069) groups based on the PSQ30. Morning salivary cortisol and CRP were elevated in both groups. Visceral adiposity, elevated blood pressure and metabolic syndrome were significantly more frequent in the HS group vs. the VHS group. The fatty liver index (FLI) was higher (p = 0.045), while the PNF score was lower (p < 0.001) in the HS group. The HS group was comprised of more smokers (p = 0.016). Energy intake and physical activity levels were similar in both groups. Thus, high chronic stress was related to visceral adiposity, FLI, elevated blood pressure and metabolic syndrome in the HS group, while very high chronic stress was associated with psychological–neurological symptoms and a lower cardiometabolic risk in the VHS group, probably due to different coping strategies.
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Armborst et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Perceived chronic stress (n=61). High chronic stress vs. Very high chronic stress was evaluated on Fatty liver index (FLI) (p=0.045). High chronic stress was associated with a higher fatty liver index (p=0.045) and more frequent visceral adiposity compared to very high chronic stress, which was linked to more psychological-neurological symptoms.
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