Zhou, Z. , Lo, C. K.M., Chan, K. L., Chung, R. S.Y., Pell, J. P. , Minnis, H. , Shiels, P. G. , Ip, P. and Ho, F. K. (2023) Child maltreatment and telomere length in middle and older age: retrospective cohort study of 141 748 UK Biobank participants. British Journal of Psychiatry, 223(2), pp. 377-381. (doi: 10.1192/bjp.2023.33) (PMID:36946056)
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Abstract
Background: There is evidence that child maltreatment is associated with shorter telomere length in early life. Aims: This study aims to examine if child maltreatment is associated with telomere length in middle- and older-age adults. Method: This was a retrospective cohort study of 141 748 UK Biobank participants aged 37–73 years at recruitment. Leukocyte telomere length was measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and log-transformed and scaled to have unit standard deviation. Child maltreatment was recalled by participants. Linear regression was used to analyse the association. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, participants with three or more types of maltreatment presented with the shortest telomere lengths (β = −0.05, 95% CI −0.07 to −0.03; P < 0.0001), followed by those with two types of maltreatment (β = −0.02, 95% CI −0.04 to 0.00; P = 0.02), referent to those who had none. When adjusted for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, the telomere lengths of participants with three or more types of maltreatment were still shorter (β = −0.04, 95% CI −0.07 to −0.02; P = 0.0008). The telomere lengths of those with one type of maltreatment were not significantly different from those who had none. When mutually adjusted, physical abuse (β = −0.05, 95% CI −0.07 to −0.03; P < 0.0001) and sexual abuse (β = −0.02, 95% CI −0.04 to 0.00; P = 0.02) were independently associated with shorter telomere length. Conclusions: Our findings showed that child maltreatment is associated with shorter telomere length in middle- and older-aged adults, independent of sociodemographic and mental health factors.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (Project No.: GCHC/SPG/2021/05). |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Minnis, Professor Helen and Pell, Professor Jill and Ho, Dr Frederick and Zhou, Ziyi and Shiels, Professor Paul |
Authors: | Zhou, Z., Lo, C. K.M., Chan, K. L., Chung, R. S.Y., Pell, J. P., Minnis, H., Shiels, P. G., Ip, P., and Ho, F. K. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences |
Journal Name: | British Journal of Psychiatry |
Publisher: | Royal College of Psychiatrists |
ISSN: | 0007-1250 |
ISSN (Online): | 1472-1465 |
Published Online: | 22 March 2023 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © The Author(s), 2023 |
First Published: | First published in British Journal of Psychiatry 223(2):377-381 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
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