Neglect and abuse during childhood is associated with a high incidence of depression and inflammation once the child reaches adulthood. When these two chronic conditions occur together, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease rises, too.

Depression affects both the body and the brain and is often associated with cardiovascular disease. Chronic inflammation stresses the immune system and is known to be common in people suffering from either depression or cardiovascular disease.

Not everyone who has depression also has chronic inflammation but those who have both disorders are at much higher risk of developing cardiovascular conditions as well.

Andrea Danese, MD, MSc, of the King’s College London, studied the effect poor treatment during childhood has on the development of depression later in life. She studied the lifetime records of 1,000 New Zealanders born in 1972 and 1973. Clinical interviews of the study participants occurred every two years when the children were between the ages of 3 and 15 and additional assessments were conducted when the subjects reached the ages of 18, 21, 26, and 32. When study subjects reached the age of 32, they were given physical examinations and were screened for depression.

Objective observation, parental reports during childhood, and personal reports once the subjects reached adulthood helped determine mistreatment during childhood. The study identified childhood trauma as maternal rejection, extreme discipline, disruptive change with regard to caregivers, and physical or sexual abuse.

The level of C-reactive protein in the bloodstream determined the presence of inflammation. The C-reactive protein is highly sensitive to inflammation and, when present alongside depression, increases the risk of heart disease.

Study participants who enjoyed happy childhoods but were diagnosed with depression at age 32 did not have C-reactive protein in their blood. Participants who did endure maltreatment during childhood and who were depressed at age 32 did have the protein in their blood. Other factors, such as smoking, ill health in general, and socioeconomic status during childhood and adulthood, were considered but did not prove significant.

The research team thinks maltreatment during childhood should be addressed when treating depressed patients in order to reduce the effect of it on any other medical conditions the patient may be battling, too.

JAMA and Archives Journals dated April 10 carries full details of this study.