Stress and Obstructive Airway Diseases: Association and the Mediating Role of Neuropeptide Y

Abstract

The prevalence of obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increased significantly in recent decades, concurrently with increasing mental health problems worldwide. However, the underlying mechanisms especially the relative contribution of psychological stress to the psychiatric co-morbidities and functioning impairment observed in obstructive airway diseases are not well elucidated. This study aims to explore the stress-airway obstruction association in adolescent, adult and elderly individuals, and the underlying role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) through a cross-sectional clinical study, a clinical follow-up study and population-based studies. Results of the present thesis suggest the pivotal role of psychological stress to the association of psychological symptoms and obstructive airway diseases. NPY may be a plausible neuroendocrine mediator for the persistent effect of perceived stress on heightening Th2 immune and inflammatory responses in asthma, and a candidate for early targeted interventions.