Citation

Fuller-Thomson E, Kao F, Brennenstuhl S, Yancura LA. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2013; 22(6): 590-610.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10926771.2013.803508

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study used a regional subsample (n = 13,070) from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey to explore the independent contribution of childhood physical abuse to thyroid conditions in adulthood. Gender-specific logistic regression analyses controlled for age and race, in addition to 5 clusters of variables: childhood stressors, health behaviors, general stress levels, mental health, and socioeconomic status. No significant relationship between childhood abuse and thyroid conditions was found in men; however, childhood physical abuse was associated with higher odds of thyroid conditions among women, independent of a wide range of factors. In a fully adjusted model, abused women had 40% higher odds of thyroid conditions compared to their non abused peers, 95% CI [1.05, 1.87]. Future research on gender differences in the abuse-thyroid relationship is warranted.