September 13, 2022 · 7:00 AM

Chronic Stress, Even in Childhood, Linked to Arthritis Onset

Knees are the most common joint affected by osteoarthritis.
Photo credit: Steven Paul Parker II

Have you heard of the “diabetic triad”? Diabetes (type 2) + hypertension + arthritis. Very common.

A MedPage Today article indicates that chronic stress may precipitate or aggravate arthritis. Even childhood stress. The link is not as strong for rheumatoid arthritis as it is for more common types of arthritis. Most for the reviewed studies “categorized stress as stemming from adverse life events … or adverse childhood experiences …. Most studies … suggested a relationship between exposure to chronic stressors and arthritis development.”

Would stress reduction improve the quality of life of arthritis patients? The study at hand doesn’t address that but I’d wager that it does.

Steve Parker, M.D.