; Konzok, Julian
; Peters, Anette ; Obi, Nadia ; Brenner, Hermann ; Holleczek, Bernd ; Velásquez, Ilais Moreno ; Deckert, Jürgen ; Baune, Bernhard T. ; Rietschel, Marcella ; Berger, Klaus ; Grabe, Hans J. | Item type: | Article | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal or Publication Title: | Deutsches Ärzteblatt international | ||||
| Publisher: | Dt. Ärzte-Verl. | ||||
| Volume: | 121 | ||||
| Page Range: | pp. 1-8 | ||||
| Date: | 2024 | ||||
| Institutions: | Medicine > Institut für Epidemiologie und Präventivmedizin > Lehrstuhl für Epidemiologie | ||||
| Projects (Historical): | German National Cohort NAKO, BMBF 01ER1301A/B/C, BMBF 01ER1511D | ||||
| Identification Number: |
| ||||
| Dewey Decimal Classification: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine | ||||
| Status: | Published | ||||
| Refereed: | Yes, this version has been refereed | ||||
| Created at the University of Regensburg: | Partially | ||||
| Item ID: | 77400 |
Abstract
Background: Childhood trauma is associated with somatic and mental illness in adulthood. The strength of the association varies as a function of age, sex, and type of trauma. Pertinent studies to date have mainly focused on individual diseases. In this study, we investigate the association between childhood trauma and a multiplicity of somatic and mental illnesses in adulthood. Methods: Data ...

Abstract
Background: Childhood trauma is associated with somatic and mental illness in adulthood. The strength of the association varies as a function of age, sex, and type of trauma. Pertinent studies to date have mainly focused on individual diseases. In this study, we investigate the association between childhood trauma and a multiplicity of somatic and mental illnesses in adulthood.
Methods: Data from 156 807 NAKO Health Study participants were analyzed by means of logistic regressions, with adjustment for age, sex, years of education, and study site. The Childhood Trauma Screener differentiated between no/minor (n = 115 891) and moderate/severe childhood trauma (n = 40 916). The outcome variables were medical diagnoses of five somatic and two mental health conditions as stated in the clinical history.
Results: Persons with childhood trauma were more likely to bear a diagnosis of all of the studied conditions: cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10; 95% confidence interval: [1.05; 1.15]), myocardial infarction (OR = 1.13 [1.03; 1.24]), diabetes (OR = 1.16, [1.10; 1.23]), stroke (OR = 1.35 [1.23; 1.48]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.45 [1.38; 1.52]), depression (OR = 2.36 [2.29; 2.43]), and anxiety disorders (OR = 2.08 [2.00; 2.17]). All of these associations were stronger in younger persons, regardless of the nature of childhood trauma. Differences between the sexes were observed only for some of these associations.
Conclusion: Childhood trauma was associated with a higher probability of developing mental as well as somatic illness in adulthood. As childhood trauma is an element of individual history that the victim has little to no control over, and because the illnesses that can arise in adulthood in association with it are a heavy burden on the affected persons and on society, there is a need for research on these associations and for the development of preventive measures.
Metadata last modified: 24 Jul 2025 10:54
Altmetric