No definitive evidence for a connection between autoimmune thyroid diseases and stress in women.
The purpose of this literature review was to examine the available clinical studies performed during the last 15 years to identify if there is a causal relationship between the onset and course of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis/sympathetic-adrenomedullary system (SAM) (dys)function in women. Using the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases, a comprehensive search was performed, and 14 articles were finally identified. The majority of selected studies suggested a causal connection between Graves' Disease (GD) and stress, as well as between Hashimoto Thyroiditis (HT), with its variant postpartum thyroiditis, and stress. However, due to heterogeneity in the protocols, mainly based on the theoretical side effects of stress on the immune-neuroendocrine system, and the different modalities used to establish the impact of stress on individuals, no definitive conclusions could be reached to explain the mechanisms by which stress contributes to the onset of AITDs in women and to determine whether stress management could help in modifying the course of AITDs.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
Lisandra
L
Damian
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
Cristina Mihaela
CM
Ghiciuc
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
Lucia Corina
LC
Dima-Cozma
Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
Maria Christina
MC
Ungureanu
Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
Sebastian
S
Cozma
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Francesca Romana
FR
Patacchioli
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
Catalina Elena
CE
Lupusoru
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology