Premium
Chronic Stress and Arthritis: A Scoping Review
Author(s) -
Schwetlik Sarah N.,
Baldock Katherine L.,
Hill Catherine L.,
Ferrar Katia
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.24528
Subject(s) - biopsychosocial model , stressor , arthritis , medicine , chronic stress , disease , chronic disease , clinical psychology , physical therapy , psychiatry
Objective Emerging research supports the role of chronic stress in chronic disease development. The objective was to perform a scoping review mapping the field of research exploring relationships between chronic stress and the development of arthritis in adult populations. Methods Five electronic databases were systematically searched without publication limits based on 3 key concepts: stress, arthritis, and adults. Eligible qualitative studies investigated individuals' perceived causes of arthritis; quantitative studies investigated relationships between exposure to a chronic stressor and an arthritis presence outcome. Articles were screened by 2 independent reviewers, and data were narratively synthesized. Results Of 1,819 unique records, 54 studies met inclusion criteria. Nine studies used qualitative methods, and 45 used quantitative methods. The frequency of studies increased chronologically, with half (n = 27) published since 2010. Chronic stress exposures were heterogenous; most were categorized as adverse life events (n = 22) or adverse childhood experiences (n = 17). Self‐reported arthritis was the most frequent measure of arthritis outcome (n = 26) in quantitative studies. A majority of studies (n = 41) suggested a relationship between exposure to chronic stressors and arthritis development. Conclusion Increasing study numbers in the past decade may reflect increasing awareness of the potential impact of chronic stress in arthritis development, consistent with a biopsychosocial approach to chronic disease etiology and management. Further research, using precise arthritis definitions, conducted within a clearly articulated pathophysiologic framework, is required to establish a causal relationship between exposure to chronic stressors and the development of specific arthritis conditions.