Cumulative Childhood Stress and Autoimmune Diseases in Adults

• DOI: 10.1097/psy.0b013e3181907888
• Publication Date: 2009-02-03T02:32:37Z
• Authors: Shanta R. Dube; DeLisa Fairweather; William S. Pearson; Vincent J. Felitti; Robert F. Anda; Janet B. Croft
• Keywords: Adult; Inflammation; Male; Domestic Violence; Lymphokines; Middle Aged; California; Autoimmune Diseases; 3. Good health; Cohort Studies; Hospitalization; Myocarditis; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Divorce; Rheumatic Diseases; Adult Children; Humans; Female; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Child Abuse; Disease Susceptibility; Child

Objective: To examine whether childhood traumatic stress increased the risk of developing autoimmune diseases as an adult. Methods: Retrospective cohort study 15,357 adult health maintenance organization members enrolled in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study from 1995 to 1997 San Diego, California, and eligible for follow-up through 2005. ACEs included physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; witnessing domestic violence; growing up with household substance abuse, mental illness, parental divorce, and/or incarcerated member. The total number (ACE Score range = 0-8) was used a measure cumulative stress. outcome hospitalizations any 21 selected 4 immunopathology groupings: T- helper 1 (Th1) (e.g., idiopathic myocarditis); T-helper 2 (Th2) myasthenia gravis); Th2 rheumatic rheumatoid arthritis); mixed Th1/Th2 hemolytic anemia). Results: Sixty-four percent reported at least one ACE. event rate (per 10,000 person-years) first hospitalization disease 31.4 women 34.4 men. First increasing (p < .05). Compared persons no ACEs, ≥2 were 70% Th1, 80% Th2, 100% Conclusions: likelihood diagnosed decades into adulthood. These findings are consistent recent biological studies on impact early life subsequent inflammatory responses. ACE adverse experience; AD disease; Th1 1; 2; CRP C-reactive protein; CRH corticoid releasing hormone.