Physiological biomarkers of chronic stress: A systematic review

Authors

  • Shamoon Noushad 1Department of Health, Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Karachi. 2Advance Educational Institute & Research Centre. 3Psychophysiology Research Lab, MAHQ Biological Research Centre, University of Karachi
  • Sadaf Ahmed 1Advance Educational Institute & Research Centre. 2 Psychophysiology Research Lab, MAHQ Biological Research Centre, University of Karachi
  • Basit Ansari Department of Health, Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Karachi
  • Umme-Hani Mustafa Psychophysiology Research Lab, MAHQ Biological Research Centre, University of Karachi
  • Yusra Saleem Advance Educational Institute & Research Centre.
  • Hina Hazrat Psychophysiology Research Lab, MAHQ Biological Research Centre, University of Karachi

Keywords:

Chronic Stress, Physiological Biomarkers, Stress, Diagnosis, Prognosis

Abstract

Objective: The basic objective of this systematic review was to identify potential biomarkers for chronic stress.
Methods: A systematic review of studies linking biomarkers in people with chronic stress was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. The last 40 years’ studies were included in the systematic review with no age restrictions; animal studies were excluded from the study. Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for the study purpose. The studies were searched using the combinations of search terms that comprised chronic stress together with the keywords hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), autonomic nervous system (ANS), immune system, metabolic biomarkers, cortisol, hair cortisol, salivary cortisol, urinary cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), metabolic biomarkers, antioxidants, glucose, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
Results: A total of 37 studies out of 671 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Potential diagnostic biomarkers of chronic stress included cortisol, ACTH, BDNF, catecholamines, glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, cholesterol, prolactin, oxytocin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), CRP, and interleukin - 6 and 8. While the others including antioxidants and natural killer (NK) cells require further validation. Taken together, addition, these stress biomarkers have critical prognostic capacities for stress-associated diseases and therapeutic guidance.
Conclusion: This systematic review provides an update to the literature by highlighting the role of physiological biomarkers in chronic stress and describing their prognostic and therapeutic values.

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Published

2021-08-21

How to Cite

Noushad, S., Ahmed, S. ., Ansari, B., Mustafa , U.-H. ., Saleem, Y. ., & Hazrat, H. . (2021). Physiological biomarkers of chronic stress: A systematic review. International Journal of Health Sciences, 15(5), 46–59. Retrieved from https://pub.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/5928

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 5 (2021): Sep-Oct

Section

Reviews

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