Examining the Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic-Induced Stress and Anxiety on Humoral Immunity in Health Care Workers

The effect of stress on vaccine-induced humoral immunity and therapeutic interventions to mitigate pandemic-related stress remain underexplored. Participants in a longitudinal cohort study ( n = 189) completed a validated measure, GAD-7, and 10-instrument stress measure to assess stress and anxiety...

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Published inJournal of occupational and environmental medicine Vol. 66; no. 2; p. e48
Main Authors Stark, Valerie S, Williams, Erin C, Echeverri Tribin, Felipe, Coto, Jennifer, Carrico, Adam, Carreño, Juan Manuel, Bielak, Dominika, Desai, Parnavi, Krammer, Florian, Hoffer, Michael E, Pallikkuth, Suresh, Pahwa, Savita
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.02.2024
Subjects
Anxiety
COVID-19 - epidemiology
Health Personnel
Humans
Immunity, Humoral
Longitudinal Studies
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2
Vaccination
Young Adult
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Summary:The effect of stress on vaccine-induced humoral immunity and therapeutic interventions to mitigate pandemic-related stress remain underexplored. Participants in a longitudinal cohort study ( n = 189) completed a validated measure, GAD-7, and 10-instrument stress measure to assess stress and anxiety after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. Serum was collected to obtain SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer levels. Participants experienced increased stress due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with a positive correlation between GAD-7 scores and peak antibody titers overall; however, there was a negative association with scores commensurate with severe anxiety. Health care workers and younger participants were more significantly affected by anxiety. Mild anxiety levels may have immune-enhancing effects, whereas severe anxiety may cause antibody generation reduction. Mental health-focused interventions are imperative for younger adults and health care workers. Young adults may be more resilient to increased stress levels.
ISSN:1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003014