Washington, April 8 : Researchers at King's College London have found that a history of neglect or abuse in childhood is associated with depression and inflammation in adulthood, a combination that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at King's College London have found that a history of neglect or abuse in childhood is associated with depression and inflammation in adulthood, a combination that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Depression and hearty disease often occur simultaneously, and inflammation has been associated with both.
"However, not all individuals with depression have elevated levels of inflammation. Those who do could be at highest risk for cardiovascular disease," the researchers said.
For the study, Andrea Danese, M.D., M.Sc., of King's College London, and colleagues examined 1,000 New Zealand residents born between 1972 and 1973.
Researchers carried out assessments every two years between ages 3 and 15, then again at ages 18, 21, 26 and 32.
Childhood maltreatment was identified through parental reports during childhood years, objective observations of behaviour and participants' own reports once they reached adulthood.
At age 32, participants were asked to undergo physical examinations as well as clinical interviews to diagnose depression.
Researchers found that individuals with current depression and a history of childhood maltreatment were more likely to have a high level of inflammation at age 32, as measured by the presence of the chemical high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the blood.
And participants with depression but no history of childhood maltreatment did not have this increased risk.
"The elevated inflammation levels in individuals who were both depressed and maltreated were not explained by correlated risk factors such as depression recurrence, low socio-economic status in childhood or adulthood, poor health or smoking," the authors said.
"Information about experiences of childhood maltreatment may help to identify depressed individuals with elevated inflammation levels and, thus, greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
"In turn, the early recognition of the health risk associated with maltreatment history might help to address pressing needs for the care of depressed individuals such as the reduction of the effect of depression on comorbid [co-occurring] medical illness," they added.
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