Childhood adversities and chronic conditions: examination of mediators, recall bias and age at diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to (1) identify the influence of childhood socioeconomic status (CSES) on five chronic conditions: asthma, bronchitis, hypothyroid, migraine, and psychiatric disorders in later life; (2) determine the mediating role of childhood abuse (CA) in these associations, and (3) quantify recall bias due to respondent's mental health in these associations.

METHODS

10,325 men and women from the Tromsø Study were followed for 13 years, and Poisson regression models were used.

RESULTS

Low CSES was associated with a 16-23% higher risk of chronic conditions, and CA was associated with a 16-58% higher risk of chronic conditions (p < 0.05). A minor proportion of the association between CSES and CA (3.98%, p < 0.05); CSES and chronic conditions (5.54-8.71%, p < 0.05); and CA and chronic conditions (9.51-19.52%, p < 0.05), were driven by recall bias due to the respondent's mental health. CA mediated the association between CSES and chronic conditions (9.58-25.06%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Low CSES and CA are associated with higher risk of chronic conditions in later life. A minor proportion of these associations are driven by recall bias.