The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health published a recent observational study by Dr. Jian Li and her colleagues at the Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine at the University of Düsseldorf. This said a study by Li and colleagues establishes that psychological stress, specifically work-related stress, is a trigger in the onset of first time asthma among adults.
From 2009 to 2011, Dr. Li and her team analyzed data from 7,000 working German adults. On top of asthma-related questions, the respondents were also asked regarding the effect of the severe economic downturn (which occurred during the same time) to them personally and at work. They were specifically asked regarding the likelihood of them losing their job over the next couple of years.
According to the data they have gathered, a huge fraction of their respondents are very likely to lose their jobs. These are often those that are younger, with low educational attainment and are on lower income jobs.
In connection to this, during the 2009-2011 study period, 105 new onset cases of asthma were reported from the respondents. 50% of these new first time asthma cases were women. Thus, Dr. Li and her team reported that for every 25% of the respondent population who said are likely to lose their job in the next 2 years, there is a foreseen 24% increase in the risk of first time asthma.
Asthma, however, is but one surfacing health concern that is tied to the high probability of these individuals losing their job. Depression is yet another.
In the past, a solid link has been established between asthma and depression. According to doctors in Australia, asthma doubles the risk of severe depression in adults. Also, depression which has surfaced before the onset of asthma creates an even more unfavorable circumstance to an affected adult.
Emotional and mental downtime experienced by people who are depressed will make them less likely to deal with asthma. In fact, a lot of them won't even find out they have the condition.
Work-related stress, even other forms and sources of stress, are highly potent depression and asthma triggers.
