Abstract
Objective: To systematically review all available studies that pursued the development of a
questionnaire to evaluate the relationships between psychological, social and environmental
characteristics and their relationship with the onset, course and development of allergies.
Methods: Studies were identified using MedlinePlus and PubMed until August 2011. Results: No
publications related to the development of questionnaires evaluating the described relationship
were found. However, nine studies were selected to collect relevant data on this topic. The
studies were divided related to 3 areas: neuro-immune interactions, genetics influences and
psycho-social factors. Enough compelling evidence was found for an association between
psychosocial factors with atopic diseases; the role of the family is highlighted as an important
social factor influencing psychological and atopic variables and; evidence of an inhibition
on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and an overreaction of the sympathetic
adrenomedullary (SAM) system to psychological stress among patient with atopic dermatitis
were found. Conclusion: In atopic diseases the psychosocial characteristics of the affected
person, his/her immune and sympathetic system and his/her social environment appear to be
related to the onset, course and development of allergic condition.
| Translated title of the contribution | Environmental and psychological characteristics associated to the start, course and development of allergic diseases: a general revision. |
|---|---|
| Original language | Spanish (Chile) |
| Journal | Revista Hospital Clinico Universidad de Chile |
| State | Published - 2012 |