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20-11-2023 | Original Article

Childhood, adulthood, and cumulative traumatic events experienced from childhood to adulthood and dementia risk: a population-based cohort study

Authors: Ziwei Xie, Meiling Li, Huizi Sun, Chunmiao Zhou, Chunying Fu, Qi Wang, Caiyun Dong, Wenting Hao, Xuemei Zhen, Dongshan Zhu

Published in: Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Aim

We aim to examine the association of traumatic events experienced in childhood, adulthood, and cumulative traumatic events experienced from childhood to adulthood, with the risk of all-cause dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD), while considering the roles of sex.

Subject and methods

We used data from the UK Biobank cohort study and 145,558 participants were included. Frequency of traumatic events (including emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse) experienced in childhood and adulthood were collected. Cumulative number and type of traumatic events experienced from childhood to adulthood were also calculated. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between traumatic events and risk of all-cause dementia. Sex-specific associations were also analyzed.

Results

Compared to people who did not experience traumatic events in their life course, those who often experienced emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in childhood were associated with a higher risk of all-cause dementia, with HRs (95% CI) of 2.23 (1.34, 3.71), 3.16 (1.81, 5.53), and 3.23 (1.52, 6.89), respectively. Corresponding HRs (95% CI) in people who experienced traumatic events in adulthood were 1.42 (1.11, 1.82), 1.96 (0.97, 3.98), and 3.13 (1.18, 8.27), respectively. After cumulative type of traumatic events were calculated from childhood to adulthood, we found that people who experienced both emotional and physical abuse in childhood had the highest risk of all-cause dementia in later life with HRs (95% CI) of 1.94 (1.00–3.78).

Conclusion

Traumatic events experienced in both childhood and adulthood were related to an increased risk of dementia. People who experienced both emotional and physical abuse in childhood had the highest risk of all-cause dementia.

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Title: Childhood, adulthood, and cumulative traumatic events experienced from childhood to adulthood and dementia risk: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Ziwei Xie
Meiling Li
Huizi Sun
Chunmiao Zhou
Chunying Fu
Qi Wang
Caiyun Dong
Wenting Hao
Xuemei Zhen
Dongshan Zhu
Publication date: 20-11-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Public Health
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-023-02140-8

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Springer Medicine

Childhood, adulthood, and cumulative traumatic events experienced from childhood to adulthood and dementia risk: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote Webinar | Spotlight on Diet and Diabetes

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusion

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