Adverse childhood experiences in early life increase the odds of depression among adults with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Adverse childhood experiences are demonstrated risk factors for depression, a common co-morbidity of multiple sclerosis, but are understudied among people with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Estimate the association between adverse childhood experiences and depression among 1,990 adults with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Participants were members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California from two studies between 2006 and 2021 and were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis by a neurologist. Adverse childhood experiences were assessed using two instruments, including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Participants self-reported ever experiencing a major depressive episode. Meta-analysis random effects models and logistic regression were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and a history of depression across study samples. Adverse childhood experiences were expressed as any/none, individual events, and counts. Models adjusted for sex, birth year, race, and ethnicity.

Results: Exposure to any adverse childhood experiences increased the odds of depression in people with multiple sclerosis (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.21-2.42). Several individual adverse childhood experiences were also strongly associated with depression, including "significant abuse or neglect" (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 2.11-3.68).

Conclusion: Findings suggest that adverse childhood experiences are associated with depression among people with multiple sclerosis. Screening for depression should be done regularly, especially among people with multiple sclerosis with a history of adverse childhood experiences.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; depression; early childhood stress; mental health; multiple sclerosis.