TY  - JOUR
T1  - PErsistent stress as a predictor of genital herpes recurrence
AU  - Cohen F, Kemeny ME, Kearney KA, Zegans LS, Neuhaus JM, Conant MA
Y1  - 1999/11/08
N1  - 10.1001/archinte.159.20.2430
JO  - Archives of Internal Medicine
SP  - 2430
EP  - 2436
VL  - 159
IS  - 20
N2  - Background 
    Results of several studies suggest that psychological stress and negative mood can trigger genital herpes recurrences, but results are inconsistent.Objective 
    To determine whether short-term or persistent psychological stress or specific negative moods are predictive of genital herpes recurrences in women.Methods 
    A prospective cohort study followed up participants for 6 months using weekly assessments of stress and mood, monthly assessments of life change events, and diary reports of genital herpes recurrences confirmed by medical examination when feasible. The community sample consisted of 58 women, aged 20 to 44 years, with a 1- to 10-year history of visible genital herpes recurrence and at least 1 recurrence in the previous 6 months.Results 
    Persistent stress predicted recurrence in the subsequent week (odds ratio, 1.08 per unit increase in stress; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.15; P=.03). After adjusting for recurrence in the previous week, the more weekly persistent stress reported, the greater the likelihood of recurrence the following week. Also, an increased recurrence rate occurred after the month during which participants experienced their highest levels of anxiety (P=.03). There were no significant associations between recurrence and short-term stress, life events, depressive mood, anger, or phase of menstrual cycle.Conclusions 
    Persistent stressors and highest level of anxiety predicted genital herpes recurrence, whereas transient mood states, short-term stressors, and life change events did not. Women with herpes can be reassured that short-term stressful life experiences and dysphoric mood states do not put them at risk for increased outbreaks of recurrent genital herpes.
SN  - 0003-9926
M3  - doi: 10.1001/archinte.159.20.2430
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.159.20.2430
ER  -