BMI moderates the association between adverse childhood experiences and COPD

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Cigarette smoking and obesity are primary risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Existing research indicates a correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and COPD.
• The moderating roles of cigarette smoking and body mass index (BMI) in the ACEs-COPD association require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• To determine if cigarette smoking or body mass index (BMI) moderates the relationship between ACEs and COPD.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.
• Analysis included 75,700 adults aged 18-79 years.
• Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between ACEs and physician-diagnosed COPD, with BMI as a potential moderator.

Main Results:

• 8.1% of the study sample reported a diagnosis of COPD.
• The association between ACEs and COPD was found to be moderated by BMI status.
• The link between ACEs and COPD was most pronounced in individuals classified as obese (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 1.41).

Conclusions:

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are significantly associated with the development of COPD in adulthood.
• Body mass index (BMI) acts as a moderator in the relationship between ACEs and COPD.
• These findings underscore the long-term health consequences of ACEs on adult chronic conditions.