2151-4658/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=75d1dd4933b4687fdb365bb32190b0a4ef453ee7)
2151-4658/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=a36ba6af41bd9af370864f6461a516746a709d31)
Osteoarthritis
The robust association between childhood physical abuse and osteoarthritis in adulthood: Findings from a representative community sample
Article first published online: 29 OCT 2009
DOI: 10.1002/art.24871
Copyright © 2009 by the American College of Rheumatology
1529-0131a/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=4b71f39689e424fbb0e6725b1c033cc646a4272b "Arthritis Care & Research")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Fuller-Thomson, E., Stefanyk, M. and Brennenstuhl, S. (2009), The robust association between childhood physical abuse and osteoarthritis in adulthood: Findings from a representative community sample. Arthritis Care & Research, 61: 1554–1562. doi: 10.1002/art.24871
Publication History
- Issue published online: 29 OCT 2009
- Article first published online: 29 OCT 2009
- Manuscript Accepted: 27 JUL 2009
- Manuscript Received: 25 SEP 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
Objective
Research suggests a role of early-life trauma in the development of arthritis. This study investigated the relationship between childhood physical abuse and osteoarthritis (OA) while controlling for age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status (SES), in addition to the following types of risk factors for OA: 1) concurrent childhood stressors, 2) adult health behaviors, and 3) depression.
Methods
Data from the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan were selected from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey (n = 13,093). Respondents with missing arthritis data or with arthritis types other than OA were excluded (n = 1,985). Of the 11,108 remaining respondents, 6.9% (n = 854) reported childhood physical abuse by someone close to them, and 10.1% (n = 1,452) reported that they had been diagnosed with OA by a health professional. The regional-level response rate was 84%.
Results
When adjusting for all 3 types of risk factors, a significant association between childhood physical abuse and OA was found (odds ratio [OR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.21–2.00). In contrast, when adjusting for age, sex, race, and SES only, the OR was 1.99 (95% CI 1.57–2.52).
Conclusion
The association between childhood physical abuse and OA remained significant, even after controlling for many risk factors that may mediate the relationship. Further research is needed to investigate potential pathways through which arthritis develops as a consequence of childhood physical abuse.