Stressful life events can trigger asthma exacerbations, but could also contribute to the development of incident asthma. Stress-related personality traits (e.g. neuroticism and extroversion) may increase asthma risk.A population-based sample of 5114 middle-aged adults completed questionnaires between 1992 and 1995 -- 4010 (83%) were followed-up by questionnaires in 2002-2003.
High neuroticism predisposed to developing asthma (RR = 3.07) but high extroversion did not. Having broken off a life partnership increased asthma risk (RR = 2.24) but death of a close person or unemployment did not.
The authors concluded that high levels of neuroticism may increase the risk of asthma in middle-aged adults. Having broken off a life partnership was the only stressful event, which was associated with incident asthma.
Interpersonal conflicts may increase asthma risk, possibly along an immunological pathway.
References:
Neuroticism, extraversion, stressful life events and asthma: a cohort study of middle-aged adults. Loerbroks A, Apfelbacher CJ, Thayer JF, Debling D, Stürmer T. Allergy. 2009 Feb 25.
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