Findings from the Consortium Against Pain Inequality (CAPE) study show that experiencing trauma in childhood increases the risk of some conditions more than others, and that women are more affected than men.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) refer to potentially traumatic events or circumstances during childhood. As well as affecting childhood wellbeing, ACEs have been associated with long-term adverse health and social outcomes. Most studies on ACEs, however, only report associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and a single health outcome. The Consortium Against Pain Inequality (CAPE) is the first study to look at a broad range of health outcomes and offers insight into more targeted interventions.
CAPE researchers analysed data from the National Child Development Study also known as the 1958 Birth Cohort Study, which follows approximately 17,000 people born during one week in 1958 in England, Scotland, and Wales. Once they reached 50 years old, they were interviewed about their current health, using a comprehensive list of 16 conditions. Our analysis looked at correlations between these conditions and 14 types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, family conflict, bullying, financial hardship, and family illness.
Results showed, for the first time, that mental health problems and severe pain had the strongest connections to childhood trauma. Adults who experienced childhood adversity were significantly more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and chronic pain at 50 years old.
The team also found that the more trauma experienced, the greater the impact on health at 50. Specifically, people who experienced four or more types of childhood adversity had the highest risk of developing health problems as adults.
In both sexes, severe pain and poor mental health displayed the largest associations, while in women, gastrointestinal problems and asthma and bronchitis were also associated with childhood trauma, as measured by ACE scores.
Head of the Epidemiology Group Professor Gary Macfarlane, Principle Investigator of CAPE at University of Aberdeen, explained these findings: “Our study provides evidence of the multifaceted potential health consequences of ACEs but showing greatest excess risks in relation to mental ill-health and severe pain.
“This emphasises the role of childhood adversity as a key driver of health inequalities, and a public health priority.
“Our findings highlight the importance of considering prevention strategies to mitigate the potential long-term health consequences of ACEs.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis who part-funded the research added: “This important research, part-funded by Versus Arthritis, highlights the strong relationship between early childhood adversity and severe pain in adulthood. Findings suggest that our earliest experiences may be driving the health inequalities we know exist for people living with chronic pain.
“We must confront inequalities in musculoskeletal health. That requires bold investment in local, personalised, evidence-based care and addressing the wider social and economic factors that shape health. That is why we are proud to have invested in this research as part of the Advanced Pain Discovery Platform.
The full paper is published in JAMA Network Open
You can also find a summary of these results in our Plain Language Summaries section.
You can read a full press release here.