Measuring chronic stress exposure incorporating the active and healthy ageing (AHA) concept within the cross-sectional Bern cohort study 2014 (BeCS-14)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to represent chronic stress exposure by a complex generic Active and Healthy (AHA) diagnostic assessment tool incorporating ICF. This is a single-centre, cross-sectional, observational, non-interventional, non-randomized trial in University based women’s hospital, division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine. All participants followed a standardized, holistic battery of biopsychosocial assessments consisting of bio-functional status (BFS), bio-functional age (BFA) and the questionnaire for chronic stress exposure (TICS). 624 non-pediatric, non-geriatric subjects were recruited in the BeCS-14 cohort. The mean difference between chronological age and BFA was 7.8 ± 8.0 year equivalents. The mean stress level score assessed by SSCS was 13.2 with 45.4% being exposed to above average stress intensity. 22 BFS items (14 objective, 7 subjective) significantly correlated with chronic stress exposure (TICS-SSCS). The constructed sum score composed of SOC_L9 and complaint questionnaire (physical and emotional wellbeing) represented chronic stress exposure best (pearson-correlation value 0.564, p < 0.0001). Higher chronic stress exposure was associated with bio-functional pro-aging (less vitality) in both sexes. In conclusion, chronic stress is accepted as a major risk factor for developing non-communicable diseases (NCD). Our ICF compatible, complex, generic BFS/BFA assessment tool reflects chronic stress exposure and may be applied in various health care settings, e.g., in health promotion and prevention of NCDs.

Impact of chronic stress exposure on cognitive performance incorporating the active and healthy aging (AHA) concept within the cross-sectional Bern Cohort Study 2014 (BeCS-14)

“…This was also true for the correlation between TICS subdomains and the age–BFA index. This finding indicates that higher chronic stress exposure was associated with bio-functional pro-aging in both sexes and thus underlines the results of our previous investigations [ 7 ] (Table 5 ).…”

“…(2) mean difference between chronological age and biofunctional age (age-BFA index) in the BeCS-14 subgroup "cognition" was 7.8 ± 7.8 year equivalents; (3) the BFS cognitive-mental function subdomain (with expansion of the study population) reflected cognitive performance and thus corresponds to previous analysis [6]; (4) whereas correlation between BFA and IGD was found to be stronger for individuals aged ≥ 25 years; (5) chronic stress exposure in the BeCS-14 subgroup "cognition" was comparable to that of the TICS reference cohort; and (6) a higher chronic stress exposure was associated with bio-functional pro-aging, although the correlation was found to be not significant (corresponding to our previous study [7]); (7) whereby work-related chronic stress (such as work overload, work discontent and pressure to succeed) seemed to have the strongest negative impact on the BFS/BFA.…”

“…When compared to the mean values (T50) of the TICS reference population, the BeCS-14 subgroup "cognition" showed a similar chronic stress level overall (SSCS) and in almost all subdomains and is therefore comparable to our previous study population [7].…”

“…TICS-SSCS and all TICS subdomains were negatively correlated to the difference between chronological and bio-functional age (age–BFA index). Thus, an association of higher chronic stress exposure with a pro-aging state or less vitality (referring to our previous study [ 7 ]) can be suspected.…”

“…In our previous BeCS-14 analyses we found that, first, the BFS cognitive-mental function subdomain correlated well with the validated questionnaire for cognition assessment, IGD [ 6 ]. Secondly, we found the BFS/BFA assessment tool to reflect chronic stress exposure with higher chronic stress exposure being associated with bio-functional pro-aging in both sexes [ 7 ].…”