The Pathogenetic Link Between Stress and Rheumatic Diseases

12
The Pathogenetic Link Between

Stress and Rheumatic Diseases
O. Malysheva and C.G.O. Baerwald
Rheumatology Unit, Medical Clinic II, University Hospital Leipzig
Germany
1. Introduction
1.1 Definition of stress
Hans Selye was the first to define stress as a non-specific response of the body to any
demand made upon it (1936). It has been demonstrated that Selye's theory about the effects
of stress is applicable to any type of stress (Stojanovich & Marisavljevich, 2008). Key organ
of stress processes is the brain. It determines what individuals will experience as stressful, it
orchestrates how individuals will cope with stressful experiences, and it changes both
functionally and structurally as a result of stressful experiences (McEwen & Gianaros, 2011).
Stress begins with a stimulus (stressor) that causes a reaction in the brain (stress perception),
which subsequently activates physiologic systems in the body (stress response). The stress
response system reacts with the release of neurotransmitters (norepinephrine etc.) and
hormones (cortisol etc.) which serve to send an efferent message from the brain to the
periphery in order to modulate the stressful event (Cutolo & Straub, 2006).
It is clear that stress, originating in the cortex of the brain, must be converted into somatic
signals, which can modulate the immune system or pain perception. These somatic signals
typically start off in the highest centres of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the
endocrine system within the hypothalamus (Cutolo & Straub, 2006). Selye was the first to
describe the system by which the body copes with stress: the hypothalamuspituitary
adrenal system (HPA) (Stojanovich & Marisavljevich, 2008). The hypothalamus has close
connections to the limbic system, which is responsible for the emotionalisation of
psychological stress (whether it is perceived as positive eustress or negative distress). The
major neuroendocrine response mediating stress adaptation relies on the activation of the
HPA axis by stimulating corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP) from
parvocellular neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. This leads in turn to
stimulation of pituitary aderocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion and increases in
glucocorticoid secretion from the adrenal cortex. Basal production of glucocorticoids and its
hypothalamic regulators together with transient increases during stress are essential for
neuronal plasticity and normal brain function. While activation of the HPA axis is essential
for survival during stress, chronic exposure to stress hormones can predispose to
psychological, metabolic and immune alterations (Aguilera et al., 2011).
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Insights and Perspectives in Rheumatology
Selye is considered to be the first to demonstrate the existence of a particular stress disease, the
stress syndrome, or the general adaptation syndrome (Stojanovich & Marisavljevich, 2008).
These processes can be adaptive in the short term and may contribute to the dysregulation of
the hormone status if persisting for a longer time. Moreover, they are involved in bidirectional
signalling between the brain and the body as well as in stress-related mental and physical
health conditions (McEwen & Gianaros, 2011). The chronic stress-induced dysregulation
appears to be of sufficient magnitude to impact health (Gouin et al., 2008).
Recent advances in psychoneuroimmunology have provided insight into the complex
mechanisms by which stressors might affect the homeostasis and the body's immune system
(de Brouwer et al., 2010). Stress challenges the organism's homeostatic mechanisms,
triggering a cascade of events that should, normally, maintain or allow a return to
equilibrium (Pgo et al., 2010). Psychological stress can influence immunoregulatory circuits
and the course of an inflammatory disease (Marshall GD Jr, 1997). Furthermore, cytokines
generated by the immune system influence hormonal secretion and the central nervous
system, producing specific behavioural changes accompanying infectious and inflammatory
diseases (Straub et al., 2008). Psychological distress and immune dysregulation have been
linked to each other in chronic stress, in disease and other major life events.
It was shown that psychological stress is also thought to contribute to the aetiology,
maintenance and exacerbation of rheumatic diseases (de Brouwer et al., 2010). Stress has
been studied in several autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
(Cutolo & Straub, 2006). Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that alterations of the
stress response and interactions between the neuroendocrine and immune systems
contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases (Chikanza et al., 1992).
2. Neurotransmitter-cytokine relationship
The stress response is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system and it results in the
release of some neurotransmitters (epinephrine, norepinephrine) that regulates the immune
system at regional, local, and systemic levels (Felten et al., 1988).
Immune organs including thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes are innervated by sympathetic
nerves (Felten et al., 1988). Interruption of sympathetic innervation of immune organs has
been shown to modulate the outcome of, and susceptibility to, inflammatory and infectious
disease. Denervation of noradrenergic fibres of lymph nodes is associated with exacerbation
of inflammation (Lorton et al., 1996), whereas systemic sympathectomy or denervation of
joints is associated with decreased severity of inflammation (Eskandari et al., 2005).
Immune cells also express neurotransmitter receptors, such as adrenergic receptors (alphaor beta- subtype) on lymphocytes that allow them to respond to sympathetic
neurotransmitters (Elenkov & Chrousos, 1999). Neural influences on the immune response
may be due to direct synapse-like nerve-lymphocyte connections (Mix et al., 2007). Through
stimulation of adrenergic receptors locally released norepinephrine or circulating
catecholamines affect lymphocyte traffic, circulation, and proliferation, and, in turn,
modulate cytokine production as well as functional activity of various lymphoid cells
(Elenkov et al., 2000; Straub et al., 2000; Madden et al., 2001).
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The Pathogenetic Link Between Stress and Rheumatic Diseases
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Cytokines are important factors connecting and modulating the immune and
neuroendrocrine systems (Elenkov, 2005). Furthermore, cytokines and their receptors are
expressed in the neuroendocrine system and exert their effects both centrally and
peripherally (Benveniste et al., 1998). Systemic cytokines can affect the brain through several
mechanisms, including active transport across the bloodbrain barrier, through leaky areas
in the bloodbrain barrier in the circumventricular organs or through the activation of
neural pathways such as the vagal nerve (Eskandari, 2005). For example, IL-6 and tumour
necrosis factor (TNF)-a, released during an immune response and inflammation activate the
central components of the stress system, alter neurotransmitter networks activity and induce
fever, sleepiness, fatigue, loss of appetite and decreased libido. In addition, they activate the
hepatic synthesis of acute phase proteinschanges referred to as sickness behavior and
acute-phase response, respectively (Elenkov, 2005).
Otherwise, administration of interleukin (IL)-1 in the periphery increases the turnover of
norepinephrine in the hypothalamus; intracerebroventricular and peripheral injection of
interferon (IFN)- or IL-1 produces a long-lasting increase of the sympathetic activity of
the splenic nerve and an increased turnover of norepinephrine in the spleen (Elenkov, 2000).
Furthermore, it was shown that monoamine neurotransmitters, released in stress situations,
represent a tonic sympathetic control on cytokine production and on the balance of proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines (Szelnyi & Vizi, 2007).
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by common alterations of the T-helper (Th)1 versus
Th2 cells and a shift towards pro-inflammatory cytokines. In RA the balance is skewed
towards Th1 and an excess of IL-12 and TNF- production, whereas Th2 activity and the
production of IL-10 appear to be deficient (Segal et al., 1998).
Neurotransmitters, through stimulation of the beta 2-adrenoreceptors (b2AR)-cAMP-protein
kinase A pathway, inhibit the production of type 1/proinflammatory cytokines, such as
IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma by antigen-presenting cells and Th1 cells, whereas they
stimulate the production of type 2/anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and
transforming growth factor-beta. Through these mechanisms endogenous catecholamines
may cause a selective suppression of Th1 responses and cellular immunity and a Th2 shift
towards dominance of humoral immunity (Madden et al., 1995, Elenkov et al., 2000). On the
other hand, in certain local responses and under certain conditions, catecholamines may
actually boost regional immune responses through induction of IL-1, TNF- , and IL-8
production. Thus, activation of the sympathetic nervous system during an immune response
might be aimed to confine the inflammatory response on the local level through induction of
neutrophil accumulation and stimulation of more specific humoral immune responses.
However, systemically the SNS may suppress Th1 responses and thus protect the organism
from the detrimental effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other products of activated
macrophages (Elenkov et al., 2000). Otherwise, norepinephrine and epinephrine, through
stimulation of classic cytoplasmic/nuclear glucocorticoid receptors and 2-AR, respectively,
suppress the production of IL-12 by antigen presenting cells (APCs) being the main inducer
of Th1 responses (Elenkov et al., 2005). It was shown that an increase in disease activity
among RA patients was associated with an increase in the level of stress experienced by
these patients, suggesting that a stress induced increase in norepinephrine release might
activate naive Th1 cells and/or increase their activity (Kin & Sanders, 2007).
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Since 2-ARs are expressed on Th1 cells, but not on Th2 cells (Sanders et al., 1997),
catecholamines do not affect directly the cytokine production by Th2 cells. In murine and
human systems 2-AR agonists inhibit IFN-gamma production by Th1 cells, but do not
affect IL-4 production by Th2 cells (Borger et al., 1998; Wahle et al., 2006). However,
neurotransmitters through stimulation of 2-AR up-regulate the production of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and IL-10 by APCs (Elenkov, 2005). Administration of a 2AR
antagonist or a 2AR agonist prior to or during the development of arthritis inhibits or
exacerbates disease pathology, suggesting that NE stimulating 2AR on naive T and/or Th1
cells modulate IFN-gamma production. As with the in vitro findings, the in vivo effects
were found to depend on the time point when norepinephrine was released during the
course of a disease (Kin & Sanders, 2007). The increased responsiveness of T cells from
RA patients to 2AR stimulation following NE exposure might exacerbate IFN-gamma
production and promote conditions for RA development and progression. Therefore, NE,
which normally participates in a CD4- T cell response to maintain homeostasis by enhancing
the baseline immune cell-regulated IFN-gamma response, may cause disease progression
when the regulatory conditions controlling sympathetic nervous system/ 2AR activity
have changed (Kin & Sanders, 2007).
Otherwise, between RA patients and controls there was a highly significant distortion in the
distribution of the beta2AR polymorphisms at codon 16 and to a lower extent at codon
27 contributing together with the human leuokocyte antigen (HLA)-DR alleles to the genetic
background of RA. Furthermore, polymorphisms of the beta2R gene may modulate the
expression of anti citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies further supporting the close
interplay between the autonomic nervous system and the immune system (Malysheva et al.,
2008). Single nucleotide polymorphisms have been found to be associated with the 2AR
expressed by cells of RA patients, suggesting that a change in the 2AR structure on a naive
T and/or Th1 cell may heighten the level of cell responsiveness to NE (Kin & Sanders, 2007).
In patients with RA, experimental stress did not change levels of inflammatory markers
(IL-2, soluble IL-2 receptor, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN- ) but TNF- . Results for IL-6 were
inconsistent (S.de Brouwer, 2010). In patients with SLE, experimental stress did not change
levels of cytokines and other inflammatory markers (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN- , adrenoceptors), although levels of IL-4 increased after stress (Jocobs et al., 2001). Patients
with SLE differed from controls in their response to stress, having a larger increase in IL-4,
smaller IL-10 and IFN- responses, and fewer -adrenoceptors on monocytes (S. de
Brouwer, 2010). In patients with JIA, stress did not affect IL-8 production, but increased IL-6
production (Roupe et al., 2000). However, in healthy subjects stress increased IFN gamma
and IL-10 levels (Jacobs et al., 2001; Motivala et al., 2008). Thus, although experimental stress
does not seem to influence levels of certain cytokines and inflammatory markers in patients
with rheumatic diseases (for example, sIL-2, IL-8, IL-10, IFN- , -adrenoceptors), it does
cause specific changes in c-reactive protein (CRP) and TNF- in patients with RA, changes
in IL-4 in patients with SLE, and changes in IL-6 in patients with JIA. These changes are not
observed in controls (S. de Brouwer, 2010). Finally, the pharmacological manipulation of the
sympathetic-immune interface is reviewed with focus on new therapeutic strategies using
selective alpha(2)- and beta(2)-AR agonists and antagonists and inhibitors of
phosphodiesterase type IV in the treatment of experimental models of autoimmune diseases
(Elenkov et al., 2000).
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3. Integration of stress hormones, cytokines and neurotransmitters

Perception of an external stressful stimulus prompts the activation of various physiological
systems that together define the body's stress response, which is aimed at re-establishing
homeostasis (S. de Brouwer, 2010). Central to the maintenance of homeostasis is an
appropriate response of the HPA axis as well as the sympathetic nervous system (Dunn &
Swiergiel, 2008; Eskandari et al., 2003,). From animal models of arthritis as well as from
clinical studies in RA patients a central role of the HPA axis in onset and severity of RA was
suggested (Chikanza, 1992). In these patients an inadequate secretion of cortisol in the
setting of a sustained inflammatory disease has been observed (Vassilopoulos &
Mantzoukis, 2006). A hypoactive stress system may facilitate or sustain the Th1 shift in Th1mediated RA. A suboptimal production of cortisol is involved in the onset and/or
progression of RA. Patients with RA have inappropriately normal or low plasma cortisol
levels in the setting of severe, chronic inflammation, characterized by increased production
of TNF-a, IL-1 and IL-6. This may actually facilitate or sustain the pro-inflammatory shift in
this disease (Elenkov, 2005). The HPA axis has been evaluated in multiple forms in former
studies of RA patients. Assuming that an inflammatory process up-regulates HPA axis
function, cortisol levels are inappropriately normal in RA patients when cytokine levels are
increased (Straub et al., 2008). The proposed defect could reside at various levels of the HPA
axis, i.e. the hypothalamic level, the pituitary, and the adrenal gland. However, results of
HPA axis tests in RA patients were inconclusive since steroid treatment, drugs including
disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) and disease duration might interfere with
the results leading to conflicting results for ACTH levels and cortisol response in
RA patients (Eijsbouts, 2005).
Experimental psychosocial stress consistently increased autonomic activity, blood pressure
and catecholamine levels in patients with RA and SLE, and increased neuroendocrine
variables (cortisol and ACTH]) in patients with RA. Furthermore, after such stress exposure
an increase in IL-4 level in patients with SLE, an increase in TNF- in RA patients, and
inconsistent findings for IL-6 were observed (S. de Brouwer, 2010). Exercise stress was
characterised by decreased levels of cortisol whereas ACTH levels and growth hormone
levels increased. Moreover, this stress elicited a different cytotoxic T cell response in patients
with RA and SLE (Pool et al., 2004; Kurtais et al., 2006).
The stress hormones, supposedly acting via - and -adrenergic as well as glucocorticoid
receptors, down-regulate immune and inflammatory processes; however, these processes
also influence the central nervous system (Ader et al., 1995; MacEwen, 1998). Circulating
cytokines and activated immune cells, markers of inflammation, activate both (intermediates
of) the HPA axis and the autonomic nervous system. Chronically elevated levels of
cytokines, as occur during long-term inflammation, might lead to changes in HPA axis and
ANS activity (Chrousos, 1995). Otherwise, circulating hormones or locally released
neurotransmitters regulate major immune functions, such as antigen presentation, antibody
production, lymphocyte activity, proliferation and traffic, and the secretion of cytokines
including the modulation of Th1 or Th2 cytokine responses. During inflammation,
activation of the stress system, through induction of a Th2 shift protects the organism from
systemic "overshooting" with Th1/pro-inflammatory cytokines. Under certain conditions,
however, stress hormones, substance P, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the activation of
CRH/substance P-histamine axis may actually facilitate inflammation, through induction of
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IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-alpha and CRP production. Thus, a dysfunctional
neuroendocrine-immune interface associated with abnormalities of the 'systemic antiinflammatory feedback' and/or 'hyperactivity' of the local pro-inflammatory factors may
play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases (Elenkov, 2008).
Cytokines signalling to the brain can not only activate the HPA axis but also facilitate pain
and induce a series of mood and behavioural responses generally termed sickness
behaviour (Watkins & Maier, 2000). Cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, are also
produced in the brain (Sebire, 1993). These brain-derived cytokines can stimulate the HPA
axis. For example, IL-1 stimulates the expression of the gene encoding CRH and thereby the
release of the hormone from the hypothalamus, the release of AVP from the hypothalamus,
and the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary, IL-2 stimulates AVP secretion from the
hypothalamus, IL-6 and TNF-alpha also stimulate ACTH secretion. Otherwise, in chronic
inflammation there seems to be a shift from CRH-driven to arginine vasopressin (AVP)driven HPA axis response (Eskandari, 2005).
CRH is the strongest known activator of the HPA axis which has been functionally
implicated in the regulation of many endocrine functions, such as glucocorticoid release
from the adrenal gland and associated endocrine-immune responses (Elenkov, 2008). CRH
not only activates the pituitary-adrenal axis but also sets in motion a coordinated series of
behavioural and physiologic responses, suggesting that the central nervous system may
coordinate both behavioural and immunologic adaptation during stressful situations
(Stermberg, 1992; O'Connor, 2000). CRH is positively regulated by catecholaminergic system
(Eskandari, 2005). During an immune response certain cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and
TNF-a can signal the brain, which via a complex CRH-dependent pathway, triggers
activation of both the SNS and the HPA axis (Elenkov, 2000).
Recently several polymorphisms in the highly conserved regulatory region of the CRH gene
were described with the gene being located on chromosome 8q13. Three polymorphisms cosegregated absolutely resulting in two alleles A1 and A2 with a further polymorphism being
assigned as alleles B1 and B2. Population investigations demonstrated a distortion in the
distribution of the resulting compound alleles A1B1, A2B1 and A2B2 between RA patients
and healthy controls (Baerwald et al., 1997). In vitro studies revealed a different regulation
of the CRH gene by these polymorphisms (Wagner et al., 2006). Furthermore, it was shown
that the stress induced response of cortisol is differentially modulated by CRH promoter
polymorphisms in RA patients. Thus, during insulin hypoglycemia test RA patients bearing
the A2B2 allele exhibited an earlier CRH as well as ACTH peak compared to A1B1 positive
patients. The integrated cortisol response to hypoglycemia expressed as area under the
curve was significantly lower in RA patients with the A1B1 allele than in RA patients with
the A2B2 allele. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the molar ratio cortisol to
ACTH between controls and RA patients underlining the dissociation of the pituitary and
the adrenal gland in patients with RA (Malysheva et al., 2011).
4. Environmental factors in stress disease interaction

The concept of environment included different factors that could disturb the homeostatic
state of health (Parniapour, 1990). A growing body of research in rheumatic diseases
highlights the importance of environmental influences to the contribution of stress on
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disease activity of rheumatic diseases. These influences include factors such as emotional
distress, coping, and familial factors (Anthony & Schanberg, 2007), diet, and some socioeconomic factors (such as level of education, area of residence and income) may affect levels
of pain and physical disability experienced by rheumatic patients (Symmons, 2003;
Kobayshi et al., 2008).
4.1 Family factors
It was shown that the family environment is important in juvenile rheumatic diseases. Thus,
diagnosis of a rheumatic disease in children was associated with depression in the mother
and a composite measure of parental (mother and father) distress and passive coping.
Children's emotional and behavioural functioning was not related to medical diagnosis,
however, a mothers depression and parental distress were associated with a childs
behavioural problems. This kind of distress was associated with child functioning and
interventions to ameliorate parental distress may have beneficial effects on the children's
behaviour and on parents reactions to their children (Frank et al, 1998). Furthermore, the
social environment was found to operate on the core health outcome, i.e. pain severity in
rheumatic diseases. Not only the status of being married but also the quality of the
relationship in terms of long-term stress and emotional support may be useful prognostic
factors in rheumatic diseases. Patient reports of negative spouse behaviour (such as
avoidance and critical remarks) and baseline depression predicted worse pain outcome, and
this association remained significant in analyses controlling for baseline pain. The level of
formal education showed a weak correlation to disability, emotional support, and pain.
Daily emotional support and social life domains associated with positive affect had an
indirect influence on outcome. The absence of strong rather than weak social ties was the
component of the loneliness construct linked to pain. These associations between social
prognostic factors and pain severity, however, were mediated by psychological functioning
at baseline (Waltz et al., 1999).
4.2 Socioeconomic status
One more important factor of environment is socioeconomic status. Although RA
occurrence is more frequent in lower socioeconomic parts of the population, it was not
identified as a significant risk factor in RA (Damjanovic et al., 2009). Otherwise, there is a
lack of good quality studies of the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases in developing
countries. It appears that a threshold level where higher socio-economic status is associated
with reduced prevalence of rheumatic disease is not reached in developing countries.
Therefore, differences in the prevalence between socio-economic groups can be undetected.
A similar case can be made for overcrowding (Steer et al., 2002). However, the education
level as risk factor is significantly related to RA occurrence (Damjanovic et al., 2009).
Furthermore, socioeconomic disparities in patients with chronic musculoskeletal complains
leading to increased pain may be attributable to both greater frequency of stressful financial
events as well as greater vulnerability to economic hardship for those at the lower end of the
socioeconomic spectrum. Conditions of economic hardship and daily ratings of financial
worry both had significant detrimental effects on daily pain. Participants with greater levels
of economic hardship reported greater pain severity in response to daily financial worries
than their counterparts with little or no economic hardship. Further, participants in the
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sample who were not employed and who reported higher levels of economic hardship
exhibited the most pain reactivity in response to daily financial worries. Economic hardship
was associated not only with greater exposure to daily financial worries but also with
greater vulnerability to pain on days when daily financial worries were experienced (Rios &
Zautra, 2011). A prospective cohort study (1958 British Birth Cohort Study) demonstrated
that the prevalence of shoulder, forearm, low back, knee and chronic widespread pain at 45
years generally increased with lower social class. Persons in the lowest social class
(compared to the highest) experienced nearly a threefold increase in the risk of chronic
widespread pain (relative risk: 2.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 4.6). Social class during childhood also
demonstrated a relationship with most regional pain and chronic widespread pain. With the
exception of forearm pain, the magnitude of effect of childhood social status on reporting of
pain in adulthood was less than that of adult social status. On multivariable analysis these
relationships were partly explained by poor adult mental health, psychological distress,
adverse life events and lifestyle factors (Macfarlane, 2009). Furthermore, there was an
association between socioeconomic status, occupation, and hospitalization for RA. A total of
13,820 male and 14,509 female hospitalizations for RA were analysed during the study. Men
and women with an education level > 12 years had a significantly decreased incidence ratio.
Occupation also played a role in these items studied with an increased incidence ratio
among farmers, miners and quarry workers, electrical workers, other construction workers,
and engine and motor operators for men. Among women, assistant nurses and religious,
juridical, and other social-science-related workers had significantly increased incidence ratio
in all 3 cohorts (Li et al, 2008).
4.3 Education and life style
It was proposed that such environmental factor as level of education was significantly
inversely associated with the risk of RA, with a 2-fold lower risk of RA among those with
the highest education compared with those having the lowest level of education. On the
other hand, it is hypothesised that RF-positive and RF-negative RA have different
aetiologies with factors related to educational level predominantly associated with the
risk of RF-positive RA (Pedersem et al., 2006).
Diet and food life style could also be an important environmental factor contributing to
rheumatic diseases. For example, diet, nutrition, and weight loss have shown promise in
alleviating some of rheumatic burden. These lifestyle changes may give patients a feeling of
control over their disease as well as a non-pharmacologic means of treatment. In particular
the role of the Mediterranean diet has to be recognised as a protective factor against RA
(Li & Micheletti, 2011). The goals of dietary therapy in rheumatic diseases are alleviation of
under- and malnutrition, inhibition of inflammation, prophylaxis of osteoporosis, as well as
recognition and treatment of nutrient sensitivities or intolerances. Inhibition of
inflammation in these patients is improved by modulating the omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids
ratio in the diet. Reduction of dietary arachidonic acid is recommended. This
polyunsaturated fatty acid is the main precursor of pro-inflammatory mediators which
interact with chemokines und cytokines. Simultaneously, intake of anti-inflammatory
omega-3 fatty acids is increased. Studies have shown that this dietary regimen results in an
amelioration of symptoms in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (Adam et al.,
2009).
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The role of other types of environmental stress was studied in patients with different
autoimmune diseases as well. For example, cognitive stressors elicited changes in
leukocyte/lymphocyte counts, subsets of lymphocytes, and CRP levels in patients with RA
(Geenen, 1998; Veldhuijzen van Zanten, 2005), and changes in leucocyte counts and cytoxic
T cell numbers in patients with SLE (Hinrichsen, 1992). It has recently been demonstrated
that thermal stress (Spa therapy) induces a reduction in the circulating levels of
prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), IL-1 and TNF- , important mediators of
inflammation and pain in patients with rheumatic diseases (Fioravanti, 2011). It was shown
that environmental desiccating stress can be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic dry eye
syndrome by exposing shared epitopes in the cornea, conjunctiva, and the lacrimal gland
that induce pathogenic CD4+T cells leading to lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis, which under
normal circumstances is restrained by CD4(+)CD25(+) forkhead/winged helix transcription
factor(+) regulatory T cells (Niederkorn et al., 2006).
4.4 Climate conditions
Some other environmental factors such as weather conditions and climate could be also
important in rheumatic pain. For example, persons with osteoarthritis in urban Chicago
exhibited more weather sensitivity than their rural counterparts in Grand Forks, North
Dakota. Multiple regression analysis revealed that precipitation affected pain for urban
subjects who identified weather as a pain-generating factor; barometric pressure, relative
humidity and sunshine were significant factors influencing pain-related stress. Wind speed
correlated with pain and pain-related stress; relative humidity and precipitation correlated
with pain-related stress for urban subjects who did not perceive weather as a problem.
Specific weather variables were not identified as affecting rural subjects' pain. However,
temperature and barometric pressure affected pain-related stress in rural subjects who
perceived weather as a problem (Laborde et al., 1986). However, one systematic review of
nine longitudinal observational studies (up to September 2009) dealing with the association
of weather variables (temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure) and
severity of pain in RA could not demonstrate any significant effects. Individual analyses
from two studies indicate that pain reporting in a minority (< 25%) of RA patients is
influenced by temperature, relative humidity or atmospheric pressure. The studies to date
do not show any consistent group effect of weather conditions on pain in RA. There is,
however, evidence suggesting that pain in some individuals is more affected by the weather
than in others, and that patients react in different ways to various weather conditions. Thus,
the hypothesis that weather changes might significantly influence pain reporting in clinical
care and research in some patients with RA cannot be rejected (Smedslund & Hagen, 2011).
Otherwise, one population-based study demonstrated that pain is not an inevitable
consequence of climatic conditions. Persons were less likely to report pain on days with >
5.8 h of sunshine and with average temperature of > 17.5C underlining a strong
relationship between lack of sunshine, lower temperatures and pain reporting (Macfarlane
et al, 2010). Interestingly, 84% of RA patients believe in an association between weather and
rheumatism, while 57% claimed to have ability to forecast weather. The maximum
contribution of weather on symptoms was 17.1 %. Of interest, the belief about a presence of
an association between weather and arthritis was found to be stronger than its statistical
power (Cay et al., 2011).
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4.5 Cultural difference

In addition, cultural differences in experiencing individual stress in RA patients were
observed. In one study covering Polish and German RA patients it was demonstrated that in
both countries, mental as well as physical health deteriorated resulting in about 50% of
patients requiring support in everyday activities. 95% of Polish and 62% of German patients
felt rejected from social activities. For the psychological stress perceived, functional capacity
class 3 and male gender were shown to be predictive in Polish patients and living in a small
town in German patients. In the Polish group, the tertiary/bachelor level of education was
linked with lower distress level. RA has a serious impact on the mental health owing to a
great disease burden (Bugajska et al., 2010).
4.6 Other factors
Interestingly, during a 15-year follow-up study of 74 female patients with RA two categories
of RA were identified: a disease form less connected with genetic factors and more
influenced by major psychodynamic conflict situations ('major conflict group') and a second
form more associated with hereditary predisposition and less influenced by environmental
psychosocial changes ('non-conflict group') (Rimn & Laakso,1985). In addition, a patients
perspective of the causes and consequences of RA could underline the role of environmental
factors in disease. Two descriptive categories of patients understanding of disease could be
identified: the category 'consequences beyond personal control' comprised not having a
clue, being exposed to climatic change, being genetically exposed and unexpected effects of
events; the category 'overloaded circumstances' involved work and family-related strain.
Consequences beyond personal control implied that the patients could not prevent the
disease and expressed their lack of understanding as to why they contracted it. Overloaded
circumstances were described as strained situations that were both work and family factors
related and could be influenced by the patient. Reasoning along these lines it is concluded
that understanding the patients' own view of disease is needed in order to achieve a more
successful medical care model (Bergsten et al., 2009). Identifying of how these factors
contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases may further lead to better explaining
the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases (Symmons, 2003; Kobayshi et al., 2008).
Finally, in one recent study of patients with psoriatic arthritis environmental factors such as
lifting heavy loads of at least 100 pounds/hr (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.51-5.05), infections that
required antibiotics (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.00-2.77), and injuries (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.11-4.01) were
associated with the occurrence of arthritis. No association was found between psoriasis
arthritis and alcohol consumption, vaccination, and female hormonal exposures (Eder et al.,
2011).
5. Rheumatic diseases as a model of stress induced disease

Despite more than twenty years of stress research in rheumatology, it is not completely
understood whether stress induced neuroimmune dysfunctions play a causal role in the
aetiology of rheumatic diseases or, in turn, rheumatic disease could change the stress
reaction and thereby changing disease activity and worsening the outcome. However,
epidemiological research increasingly suggests that exposure to traumatic stressors and
psychological trauma is related to increased health care utilisation, adverse health outcomes,
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the onset of specific diseases including rheumatic diseases, and premature death (Boscarino
et al., 2004; Sommershof et al., 2009).
5.1 Stress as pathogenetic factor of autoimmune diseases
From results of 27 studies evaluating more than 3,000 patients with RA it was recognised
that stress is an important risk factor in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Major life
events (e.g. death of a spouse, severe long-term illness of a spouse, loss of a parent, divorce
of parents, death of a parent or severe disease of a parent) lead to an intense release of stress
mediators (large time integral of released neurotransmitters and hormones), whereas in
minor life events (daily hassles with small intensity) only short-lived surges of
neurotransmitters and hormones are expected. Therefore, it is suggested that
neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine or stress hormones such as cortisol might have
different effects on immune/inflammatory responses at high and low concentrations
present during short or extended periods of time, respectively. Long-lasting (chronic) stress
may lead to pro-inflammatory effects since no adequate long-term responses of stress axes
(anti-inflammatory) are to be expected (Cutolo & Straub, 2006). Furthermore, major life
events and chronic minor stress seem to be important factors in juvenile chronic arthritis
and are significantly associated with the onset of the rheumatic disease. With respect to RA,
stress may be a provoking factor. However, during the course of the disease, minor stress
could aggravate SLE and RA (Herrmann et al., 2000). In contrast, strong major stress, which
is likely accompanied by a large and long-lived release of stress axes mediators, was
associated with a decrease in disease activity (Cutolo & Straub, 2006).
5.1.1 Early life stress
One study (follow up 1980 till 1996) examining the risk of RA in parents after the death of a
child does not support an association between severe psychological stress and RA. The
relative risk of first hospitalisation for RA was 0.88 [95% CI 0.63-1.24]. The risk was close to
1 throughout the 18 years of follow-up (Li et al., 2005). Recent findings are consistent on the
impact of early life stress on subsequent inflammatory responses. A predominant role for
parent distress in children's adjustment to juvenile rheumatic disease was shown (Ryan et
al., 2010). In one retrospective cohort study (followup 1995/1997 through 2005) of 15,357
adults it could be demonstrated that 64% adults reported early life stress with at least one
adverse childhood experience (ACE), including childhood physical, emotional, or sexual
abuse; witnessing domestic violence; growing up with household substance abuse, mental
illness, parental divorce, and/or an incarcerated household member. The event rate (per
10,000 person-years) for a first hospitalization with any autoimmune disease was 31.4 in
women and 34.4 in men. First hospitalizations for any autoimmune disease increased with
increasing number of ACEs (p < 0.05). Persons with equal or more than 2 ACEs were at a
100 % increased risk for rheumatic diseases compared to persons without any ACE
(p < 0.05) (Dube et al., 2009). Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis reported having pain,
stiffness, and fatigue on > 70% of days, with significant variability in symptom levels.
Furthermore, significant same-day relationships between stress, mood, and disease
symptoms were revealed. Specifically, daily fluctuations in both stress and mood were
predictive of increased pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Increases in daily stress, mood, and
disease symptoms were also significantly related to decreased participation in social
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activities on a day-to-day basis (Schanberg et al., 2005). However, one study does not
support the hypothesis that stressful life events and adverse childhood experiences play an
aetiologic role in the development of rheumatic disease. The number and timing of
occurrence of stressful life events, as well as their subjective immediate impact, did not
differ between participants who developed RA and their matched controls. Termination of
pregnancy was the only specific event individually associated with a higher risk of
developing RA (OR 3.74; 95% CI 1.4-9.9). Negative childhood experiences were not
associated with the risk of RA. However, RA cases reported significantly slower adaptation
to the effects of adverse events than controls (Carette et al., 2000).
5.1.2 Posttraumatic stress disorder
Some studies have demonstrated a link between the traumatic stress exposures and
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to rheumatic disorders. Recent finding indicate that
victims of PTSD exhibit higher numbers of circulating T-cell lymphocytes and lower cortisol
levels, suggesting that chronic sufferers of PTSD may be at risk for autoimmune diseases. In
addition, patients with comorbid PTSD were more likely to have clinically higher T-cell
counts, hyper-reactive immune responses on standardized delayed cutaneous
hypersensitivity tests, higher immunoglobulin-M levels, and lower dehydroepiandrosterone
levels (Stojanovich, 2008). It was also suggested that PTSD symptoms, as measured by
impact of events scale, are strongly linked to chronic widespread pain (Arguelles, 2006).
Otherwise, in one twin pairs study it was shown that PTSD symptoms were associated with
onset of adult RA. Even after adjustment for familial/genetic factors and other confounders,
an association between PTSD symptoms and RA remained (Boscarino et al., 2010).
Furthermore, cross-sectional data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, an
in-person household interview survey, in adults with (n = 6,829) and without (n = 20,676)
arthritis demonstrated that the prevalence of severe psychological distress (SPD) in adults
with arthritis is significantly higher than in adults without arthritis (5.6 % vs. 1.8 % and 26.2
% vs. 10.7 %, P < 0.001, respectively). In adults with arthritis, SPD was significantly
associated with younger age, lower socioeconomic status, divorce/separation, recurrent
pain, physical inactivity, having functional or social limitations, and having comorbid
medical conditions. Adults aged 18 to 44 years were 6.5 times more likely to report SPD than
those 65 years or older, and adults with recurrent pain were 3 times more likely to report
SPD than those without recurrent pain. Serious psychological distress affects persons with
arthritis and should be addressed in their treatment. Younger adults with arthritis, and
those with recurrent pain or either functional or social limitations, may be at higher risk for
SPD (Shih M, et al., 2006).
5.2 Stress and modulation of rheumatic disease activity
It was shown that perceived stress could be a predictor of rheumatic activity (Curtis et al.,
2005). Otherwise, psychological stress is thought to aggravate disease activity in RA,
although the physiologic mechanisms are not clear. Thus it was shown that brief
psychological stress can trigger increased production of TNF-alpha of stimulated monocytes
in RA patients. The use of TNF-alpha antagonists protects against stress activation of
cellular markers of inflammation in RA patients (Motivala et al., 2008). In two prospective
studies on RA, disease flare-ups were linked to a higher number of interpersonal minor
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stressors few days prior to the visit (Cutolo & Straub, 2006). In addition, it was shown that
stress is a potentially important risk factor for the onset of adult Still's disease. Stressful life
events (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.18 to 5.52) in the year preceding the onset was significantly
associated with increased risk for adult Still's disease (Sampalis et al., 1996). Likewise, a
longitudinal study over a period of 5 years showed that RA patients with a higher daily
stress level at baseline had a poorer outcome and significantly more bony erosions after 5
years. Therefore, long-lasting (chronic) stress may lead to proinflammatory effects because
no adequate long-term responses of stress axes (HPA anti-inflammatory) are to be
expected. Only 5 studies on about 150 RA patients did not support the link between minor
stress and disease flares (Cutolo & Straub, 2006). However, it was shown that psychological
distress and social support are more important than objectively assessed disease status in
determining marital and sexual satisfaction in patients with RA (vam Lankfeld et al., 2004).
In RA patients pain was the predominantly perceived stressor followed by limitation in
mobility, difficulties in carrying out activities of daily living, helplessness, dependency on
others, threat to self-esteem, interference in social activity, interference in family
relationships, difficulties performing at work, and discomfort of the treatment (Mahat,
1997). Interestingly, perceived stress had the strongest relationship with psychological wellbeing of rheumatic patients (Treharne et al., 2007).
In a large population-based case-control study (19962003) with incident cases of RA (1,221
cases and 1,454 controls) it could be shown that high psychological stress of job demands
tended to be associated with a decreased risk of RA (OR = 0.8; 95 % CI = 0.6 1.0).
Interestingly, low decision latitude was associated with an increased risk of RA (selfreported data: OR = 1.6; 95 % CI = 1.2 2.2). Self-reported job strain was associated with a
30% higher risk of RA, compared with relaxed working conditions (Benggsson et al., 2009).
Similarly, in patients with osteoarthritis the relationship between social support, stress and
functional status was of major importance. Thus, physical disability was associated with
being older and having less tangible support; psychological disability was correlated with
being younger, caucasian, and having less support; and pain was associated with being
younger, caucasian and having less education. Self-esteem appeared to be the most, and
appraisal the least, consistent social support dimension when predicting functional status.
While exposure to stressors negatively affected functional status, its impact was greatest
with respect to psychological disability (Weinberger et al., 1990).
6. Therapeutic interventions
Rheumatic diseases represent an important public health burden. To reduce the social and
economic impact of these pathologies, an appropriate management of these conditions
should be encouraged based on the use of established intervention strategies, including
stress reduction approaches (Ottonello, 2007).
6.1 Psychological approach
In a recent metaanalysis of efficacy of psychological interventions in the treatment of RA
patients 31 studies with 2021 patients could be included. There is consistent supportive
evidence for the efficacy of disclosure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy followed
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by maintenance therapy. Similarly, there is an evidence for improvement with behavioural

therapy (> 6 weeks duration) in the short-term but conflicting evidence for its long-term
efficacy. While there is some evidence for improvement with biofeedback-based
interventions and relaxation therapy, there is conflicting evidence for the benefits of
counselling, psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, and behavioural therapy of less
than 6 weeks duration (Dissanayake & Bertouch, 2010).
One possibility to reduce stress for patients with rheumatic diseases is cognitive-behavioural
therapy aimed at minimisation of pain episodes and stressful events, improving quality of
life and involving education, training in various types of relaxation approaches and other
coping skills. Ideally the application of these skills includes the patient's home and work
environment. It was shown that cognitive-behavioural therapy and stress management may
be useful adjuvant therapy when treating the disease symptoms of children with
polyarticular arthritis (Schanberg et al., 2005). Otherwise, patients with RA under greater
perceived stress who do not use active coping strategies appear to be at risk of psychological
comorbidity and may therefore benefit from interventions teaching specific active coping
strategies (Treharne et al., 2007). A significant relationship between specific stressors and
utilisation of coping strategies could be demonstrated: interference in family relationships
and use of evasive coping strategies (p < 0.05), threat to self-esteem and use of both evasive
and emotive coping strategies (Mahat, 1997). Interestingly, an active behavioural coping
buffered an association of stress with depression, while active cognitive coping buffered the
effect of baseline stress on life satisfaction after 6 months of intervention. Patients with RA
under greater perceived stress who do not use active coping strategies appear to be at risk of
psychological comorbidity and may therefore benefit from interventions teaching specific
active coping strategies (Treharne et al., 2007). Optimistic and confronting coping strategies
were found most frequently and perceived to be most effective against distress (Herrmann
et al., 2000). Furthermore, a sample of patients with RA who completed a stress
management training program (such as self-efficacy, coping strategies, and helplessness)
had a decrease of pain and depression due to beneficial changes in the arenas of self-efficacy
(the belief that one can perform a specific behaviour or task in the future), coping strategies
(an individual's confidence in his or her ability to manage pain), and helplessness
(perceptions of control regarding arthritis) (Rhee, 2000).
Moreover, several studies suggest that the cognitive-behavioural approach is efficacious in
RA and osteoarthritis in improving not only the psychological adjustment during the course
of the disease but also physical function (Ottonello, 2007). It was demonstrated that
psychosocial intervention (conventional psychotherapy or assertion/relaxation training)
leads to improvement in functional status or disease activity of RA patients (Strauss et al.,
1986). Moreover, cognitive-behavioural therapy and mindfulness interventions that target
responses to chronic stress, pain, and depression reduce pain and the pro-inflammatory IL-6
improving the quality of everyday life for adults with RA (Zautra et al., 2008).
Otherwise, cognitive behavioural interventions to facilitate patient adjustment could
usefully include not only management of stress and its appraisal but also utilisation of social
support resources (Curtis et al., 2005). Several longitudinal studies have demonstrated that
stress appraisal and resultant coping responses affect health outcome and health-related
quality of life in women. In addition to problem-focused coping, women often use
distraction methods, seeking social support and faith or religious coping. Psychological
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interventions in chronic medical conditions need to move beyond education and incorporate
more cognitive behavioural components, at the same time addressing women's specific
needs. Coping behaviours in response to the negative threat of a chronic or severe medical
illness serve to reduce psychological distress (Rao, 2009). One of the important factors to
sustain a psychological well-being is the social background; in particular functioning of the
family is of outstanding importance for clinical and psychological outcomes (Herrmann et
al., 2000). On the other hand, personality and social relationships play an important role in
almost every aspect of stress and coping. Daily process methods are particularly useful in
elucidating how these factors might influence both responses to and outcomes of stress
(DeLongis & Holtzman, 2005). Furthermore, a randomized clinical trial to evaluate a
psychological intervention and social support program in RA patients showed that the
psychological intervention produced significant reductions in patients' pain behaviour and
disease activity. Significant reductions were also observed in trait anxiety after treatment
and at 6-month follow-up. The social support program produced a significant reduction in
trait anxiety after treatment only (Bradlex et al., 1987). Moreover, in the European Research
on Incapacitating Diseases and Social Support cohort of patients with early RA it was
demonstrated that patients with a greater amount of specific social support or a stronger
specific support network experienced less functional limitation and less psychological
distress (Demange et al., 2004). Controlled studies of RA patients demonstrated that the
ability of self-management behaviours (accommodation, active remediation, perseverance)
can decrease impact of RA-related stressors (pain, fatigue, physical limitations, joint
changes, and symptom unpredictability) to perform life activities (p < 0.01 - 0.0001) (Katz et
al., 2005).
6.2 Muscle relaxation training
Otherwise, supervised muscle relaxation training exercised 30 minutes, twice a week for 10
weeks in individuals with RA indicated improvements in the training group regarding selfcare according to the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2, and in recreation and pastimes
according to the Sickness Impact Profile-RA (p < 0.05) directly after the intervention.
Mobility and arm function (p < 0.01) according to the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales
2, and muscle function of the lower limbs (p < 0.05) were improved after six months of
training (Lundgren & Stenstrm, 1999). There has been an increasing interest in meditation
as a mind-body approach, given its potential to alleviate emotional distress and promote
improved well-being in a variety of populations (Young, 2011). A randomized, waitlistcontrolled pilot study of 4 months Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program showed a
significant decrease of psychological distress and strengthening well-being in patients with
RA (Pradhan, 2007).
6.3 Tai chi
It was also shown that Tai chi is beneficial in stress inhibition increasing daily activities in
RA patients. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese art which combines a multimodal, complex
intervention that may include interaction of physical, cognitive, and ritualistic components
(including, for example, elements of musculoskeletal efficiency, breathing, mindfulness,
psychosocial interactions, rituals, and environment) (Wayne & Kaptchuk, 2008). Two
randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and three non-randomized clinical trials about efficacy of
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Tai chi in RA were published. The included RCTs reported some positive findings for Tai
chi on disability index, quality of life, depression and mood for RA patients. Two RCTs
assessed pain outcomes and did not demonstrate effectiveness on pain reduction compared
with education plus stretching exercise and usual activity control. Currently there are few
trials testing the effectiveness of Tai chi in the management of RA (Lee et al., 2007). It was
demonstrated that Tai chi practice lead to improved lower-limb muscle function, confidence
in moving, balance and less pain during exercise and in daily life, stress reduction, increased
body awareness at the end of intervention and at 12 weeks follow-up in patients with RA
(Uhlig et al., 2010). Furthermore, in one randomised controlled trial there was an ACR20
(American College Rheumatology) response of 50 % in the Tai chi group compared with 0%
in the control at 12 weeks (p = 0.03). Tai chi had greater improvements in the disability
index (p = 0.01), vitality subscale of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (p = 0.01)
and the depression index (p = 0.003). Similar trends to improvement were also observed for
disease activity, functional capacity and health-related quality of life. It was concluded that
Tai Chi appears safe and may be beneficial for functional class I or II RA (Wang, 2008).
Despite certain limitations this exercise showed reduction of stress and improved quality of
life and it can be recommended to patients with osteoarthritis and RA as a complementary
and alternative medical approach (Wang, 2011). However, in the treatment of chronic
conditions such as rheumatic diseases, particularly when it comes to complementary
modalities such as tai chi, therapies are often used and studied in conjunction with other
treatments. Although these heterogeneous interventions may better represent how care is
delivered in real-world settings, they sometimes create problems when it comes to
interpreting research findings (Yeh, 2008). Otherwise, the studies that are available are of
low methodological quality. Taken together, evidence is not convincing enough to suggest
that Tai chi is an effective treatment for RA. The value of Tai chi for this indication therefore
remains unproven (Lee et al., 2007).
6.4 Yoga
Over the last 10 years, a growing number of research studies have shown that the practice of
yoga can improve strength and flexibility, and may help control such physiological
variables as blood pressure, respiration and heart rate, and metabolic rate to improve overall
exercise capacity finally resulting in a benefit of yoga for people compromised by
musculoskeletal disease (Raub, 2002). For example, it was demonstrated that 10-week yoga
interventions in patients with RA significantly decreased the disability index, perception of
pain and depression, and improved balance (Bosch et al., 2009). Another study of yoga
showed improvements in mental health, vitality, and self-efficacy in a group of young
patients with RA (age 18-36 years). Interviews demonstrated improvement in RA symptoms
and functioning but uncertainty about whether the intervention affected pain (Ewans et al.,
2010). Otherwise, it was indicated that 12 sessions of Raj yoga carried out bi-weekly might
improve significantly disease activity and disability index (Badsha et al., 2009). Furthermore,
hand grip strength of both hands, measured with a grip dynamometer, increased in normal
adults and children as well as in RA patients, but not in the corresponding control groups.
Adult female volunteers and patients showed a greater improvement than corresponding
adult males. This gender-based difference was not observed in children (Dash & Telles,
2001). One pilot study of 8-week course of yoga in patients with osteoarthritis suggests that
yoga may provide a feasible treatment option for previously yoga-naive, obese patients > 50
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years of age and offers potential reductions in pain and disability. Statistically significant
reductions in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
Pain, WOMAC Physical Function, and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales, patient and
physician global assessments were demonstrated (Kolasinski et al., 2005).
6.5 Acupuncture
Acupuncture, which originated with traditional Chinese medicine, is another therapy option
that reduces stress, relieves pain and promotes an increase in quality of life. Several
systematic reviews have assessed the effectiveness of acupuncture for rheumatic conditions,
often with contradictory conclusions. Relatively clear evidence emerged to suggest that
acupuncture is effective for osteoarthritis, low back pain and lateral elbow pain to warrant
positive recommendations of this therapy in routine care for such patients but being
ineffective for RA (Ernst & Lee, 2010). In another systematic review it was shown that
acupuncture with duration of 11 weeks results in a decrease in pain compared to controls;
the mean or median changes of acupuncture-decreased tenderness of joints ranged from 1.5
to 6.5. In addition, a significant reduction of morning stiffness (mean change - 29 minutes)
was noted, but the difference was not statistically significant versus controls. With regard to
inflammatory markers, a reduction in erythrocyte sedimentation ratio (mean change - 3.9
mm/hour) and a CRP level reduction (mean change - 2.9 mg/dl) was observed. Despite
some favourable results in active-controlled trials, conflicting evidence exists in placebocontrolled trials concerning the efficacy of acupuncture for RA (Wang et al., 2008).
Regarding anaesthesia, supportive acupuncture treatment is performed for postoperative
pain based on promising results of rigorous randomised trials. Many unresolved questions
remain, such as regarding specificity of concepts, indications, and optimum dose (Str &
Irnich, 2009).
Individuals who are at risk to develop an autoimmune disease should be advised to refrain
from lifestyle and activities that endanger their future health and quality of life. Different
stress reactions should be discussed with patients, and obligatory questionnaires about
trigger factors should include psychological stress in addition the usual suspects such as
infection and trauma (Stojanovich et al., 2008). Stress reduction interventions can have a
positive therapeutic effect in autoimmune disease patients leading to a reduction in the
social and economic impact of rheumatic diseases. An appropriate management of these
conditions should be encouraged based on the use of established intervention strategies.
Physicians and patients should recognize the potential of stress to impact autoimmune
diseases and that stress management should be integrated in a multidimensional treatment
approach (McCray & Agarwal, 2011).
7. Conclusion
Rheumatic diseases are chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown aetiology and variable
severity. It is now well known that several risk factors are contributing to aetiology and
pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases, including genetic factors, sex hormones and
environmental factors, e.g. infections and stress. An increasing number of studies could
demonstrate that psychological stress and stress-related hormones are involved in immune
modulation, which ultimately may result in autoimmune disease. Stress related hormones
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exert numerous effects on various immune functions, e.g. chronic mild stress (family or
occupational stress) lead to proinflammatory effects thereby increasing disease activity.
Emotional stress could be shown to modulate pain reception and to modify quality of life in
patients with rheumatic diseases. Furthermore, a positive correlation between stress levels
and the onset of rheumatic diseases could be demonstrated. Unfortunately, not only stress
causes disease, but the disease itself also causes significant stress in the patients disturbing
the physiological stress response. In this respect, it could be demonstrated that coping
strategies reduce stress episodes with a positive impact on disease activity in patients with
rheumatic diseases. However, more studies are warranted to further explore the
pathophysiological implications of stress on onset and activity of chronic autoimmune
diseases. In particular stress is now recognised as an important risk factor for the onset and
even more for the modulation of disease activity in different rheumatic diseases.
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Edited by Dr. Andrew Harrison
ISBN 978-953-307-846-5
Hard cover, 274 pages
Publisher InTech
Published online 13, January, 2012
Published in print edition January, 2012

This book offers a range of perspectives on pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment of different
rheumatic diseases, with a particular focus on some of the interesting aspects of Sjgren's syndrome. It
contains detailed and thorough reviews by international experts, with a diverse range of academic
backgrounds. It will also serve as a useful source of information for anyone with a passive interest in
rheumatology, from the genetic and molecular level, through to the psychological impact of pain and disability.
How to reference
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O. Malysheva and C.G.O. Baerwald (2012). The Pathogenetic Link Between Stress and Rheumatic Diseases,
Insights and Perspectives in Rheumatology, Dr. Andrew Harrison (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-307-846-5, InTech,
Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/insights-and-perspectives-in-rheumatology/thepathogenetic-link-between-stress-and-rheumatic-diseases
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