title: Perceived stress at work is associated with lower levels of DHEA-S.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is known that long-term psychosocial stress may cause or contribute to different diseases and symptoms and accelerate aging. One of the consequences of prolonged psychosocial stress may be a negative effect on the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S). The aim of this study is to investigate whether levels of DHEA and DHEA-S differ in individuals who report perceived stress at work compared to individuals who report no perceived stress at work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Morning fasting DHEA-S and DHEA levels were measured in serum in a non-stressed group (n = 40) and a stressed group (n = 41). DHEA and DHEA-S levels were compared between the groups using ANCOVA, controlling for age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean DHEA-S levels were 23% lower in the subjects who reported stress at work compared to the non-stressed group. Statistical analysis (ANCOVA) showed a significant difference in DHEA-S levels between the groups (p = 0.010). There was no difference in DHEA level between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that stressed individual have markedly lower levels of DHEA-S. Given the important and beneficial functions of DHEA and DHEA-S, lower levels of DHEA-S may constitute one link between psychosocial stress, ill health and accelerated ageing.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden ; The Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna-Karin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lennartsson
authors.forename: Töres
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Theorell
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rockwood
authors.forename: Mark M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kushnir
authors.forename: Ingibjörg H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Jonsdottir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood*; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate