Citation

Gordon JB. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173268

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The risk for adverse consequences and disease due to the trauma of child abuse or neglect is easily assessed using the self-administered modified ACEs questionnaire. Exposure to child maltreatment is endemic and common. At least one out of every ten USA adults has a significant history of childhood maltreatment. This is a review of the literature documenting that a past history of childhood abuse and neglect makes substantial contributions to physical disease in adults, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, hypertension, stroke, kidney disease, hepatitis, obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease, pelvic pain, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and auto immune diseases. Adults who have experienced child maltreatment have a shortened life expectancy. The contribution of child abuse trauma to these many pathologies remains largely unappreciated and neglected compared to the attention given to the array of mental illnesses associated with child maltreatment. Specific pathophysiolologic pathways have yet to be defined. Clinical recognition of the impact of past abuse trauma will contribute to the healing process in any disease but identifying specific effective therapies based on this insight remains to be accomplished. Recommendations are made for managing these patients in the clinic. It is important to incorporate screening for CAN throughout adult medical practice now.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Smoking; Obesity; Adverse childhood experiences; Child abuse and neglect; Chronic disease; COPD; Coronary artery disease; Diabetes; Endometriosis; Immune disease; Liver disease; Premature mortality