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Association between childhood trauma and bone health in the United Kingdom
Yangyang He1, Karin Wuertz-Kozak2, Pia-Maria Wippert1
1Medical Sociology and Psychobiology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, The Brandenburg, Medical School Theodor Fontane and The Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Potsdam, Germany.
Insights
Childhood trauma is linked to lower vitamin D and bone mineral density, increasing osteoporosis risk later in life. Early stress management is key for lifelong bone health.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Osteoporosis Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood trauma's long-term health effects are significant but its impact on bone metabolism and osteoporosis risk is not well understood.
- Maintaining bone health is vital for overall well-being throughout the lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between childhood trauma and bone metabolism markers.
- To examine the relationship between childhood trauma and bone mineral density (BMD).
- To assess the risk of osteoporosis in individuals with a history of childhood trauma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort analysis of 165,920 UK Biobank participants.
- Childhood trauma assessed using the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS).
- Linear and Cox proportional hazards regression models used to analyze associations with bone markers, BMD, and osteoporosis risk.
Main Results:
- Participants with childhood trauma showed significantly lower vitamin D levels.
- Differences in BMD were observed across skeletal sites, varying by site and model.
- Childhood trauma was associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis (HR 1.136-1.224 across models).
Conclusions:
- Childhood trauma is significantly associated with altered bone metabolism and increased osteoporosis risk in adulthood.
- Findings highlight the importance of addressing early-life stress for promoting long-term bone health.
- Early-life stress management may be a crucial factor in preventing osteoporosis.
Background:
Bone health is crucial for overall well-being. While childhood trauma has broad implications for long-term health, its effects on bone metabolism and osteoporosis risk remain unclear.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using 165,920 participants from UK Biobank to address these questions. Childhood trauma was evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). Linear regression models (coefficient β, 95 % CI) were used to assess associations between childhood trauma and blood bone-related markers and Bone mineral density (BMD). Cox proportional hazards regression models (Hazard Ratios [HR], 95 % CI) examined associations between childhood trauma and osteoporosis risk.
Results:
A total of 165,920 participants aged 37-71 years (95,214 [57.4 %] female; median [IQR] age, 58.0 [13.0] years) who completed the CTS without missing data were included. Childhood trauma participants exhibited significantly lower vitamin D levels (n = 165,904) across all models. Furthermore, a site-specific and model-dependent differences of BMD across different skeletal sites (n = 35,441) were revealed. Additionally, childhood trauma participants were associated with higher osteoporosis risk (n = 163,072) in multiple models, the HR was 1.173 (95 % CI: 1.099-1.253) in unadjusted model, 1.224 (95 % CI: 1.129-1.328) in lifestyle-adjusted model, and 1.136 (95 % CI: 1.063-1.214) in medication-adjusted model.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that childhood trauma is significantly associated with altered bone metabolism and an increased risk of osteoporosis in later life. These findings emphasize the need for early-life stress management in promoting lifelong bone health.
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