A current study with the short name “StressLoC“, The main results of which a few days ago in the renowned specialist journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Published, provides new findings on the influence of chronic stress on the course of a Covid 19 disease.
Around 73 % of the 288 participants with confirmed SARS-COV-2 infection and symptoms of COVID-19 also suffered a month after the beginning of the illness from continuing, newly occurred symptoms that affect their everyday life. From this point on, “persistently symptomatic covid-19” (Ongoing Symptomatic Covid-19) speaks as an early form of Long Covid. The statistical evaluation showed a clear connection between perceived chronic stress before the infection And the continued existence of symptoms that characterize Long Covid. On the other hand, neither the number of stressful life events nor the measured cortisol value in the hair showed a significant influence on the course of the disease.
“We have investigated this question because chronic stress can contribute to a longer and less favorable disease course in infectious respiratory diseases. Our results suggest that chronically perceived stress before a SARS-COV-2 infection is also a risk factor for long-lasting symptoms according to Covid-19,” explains Christian Fazekas from Med University Graz, Study Director and President of the Austrian Society for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine (ÖGPPM). “The immune system is almost pre-contaminated. For the time being, this knowledge opens up the possibility of integrating and further researching physical, psychological and social condition and stress management in the topic of covid-19 and long covid”. In addition, an intervention study to support the disease coping with Long Covid is currently being planned on the basis of the results.
The “Stress Loc” study was financed by the Austrian Science Fund FWF and carried out in cooperation with national and international partners, including Wayne State University (USA), the University of Zurich, the University of Klagenfurt, and Joanneum Research.
Original publication:
Fazekas, C., et al. Perceived Chronic Stress prior to SARS-CoV-2 Infection Predicts Ongoing Symptomatic COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study. Psychother Psychosom 2025; doi: 10.1159/000547858
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