The influence of perceived stress on the onset of arthritis in women: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on women's health

Abstract

Background: Psychosocial factors are considered as risk factors for some chronic diseases. A paucity of research exists surrounding the role of perceived stress in arthritis onset.

Purpose: Perceived stress as a risk factor for arthritis development was explored in an ageing cohort of Australian women.

Methods: This study focused on 12,202 women from the 1946-1951 cohort who completed the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health surveys in 2001, 2004 and 2007. Longitudinal associations were modelled, with and without a time lag.

Results: Findings from the multivariate time lag modelling, excluding women with persistent joint pain, revealed that perceived stress predicted the onset of arthritis, with women experiencing minimal and moderate/high stress levels having a 1.7 and 2.4 times greater odds of developing arthritis 3 years later, respectively (p's < 0.001).

Conclusion: Chronically perceiving life as stressful is detrimental to future health. The findings provide support for perceived stress to be considered alongside other modifiable risk factors.