Childhood violence victimisation predicts elevated inflammation levels in young women independent of latent genetic influences

Abstract

Background Childhood violence victimisation is an important risk factor for later psychiatric and medical conditions with inflammatory pathogenesis. In order to test if inflammation is a proximal mechanism contributing to these clinical effects, it is important to study inflammation levels in young people, closer to the victimisation experience. Furthermore, because genetic influences on inflammation levels can affect neurodevelopment and thereby increase risk for violence victimisation, it is important to consider the potential confounding role of genes. However, research so far has largely focused on adults and ignored genetic confounding. Methods We tested the association between a childhood violence victimisation and inflammation in 2232 members of the E-Risk Longitudinal Twin Study. Violence victimisation was assessed thought composite prospectively-collected measures from birth to age 18 years. Inflammation was measured through C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels measured in dried blood spots at age 18. Results Children who experienced multiple types of victimisation (poly-victimisation) had elevated CRP levels at age 18, largely because of effects in women (beta = 0.09; 95%CI = 0.02–0.16). Elevation in CRP levels was larger in women who experience victimisation in both childhood and adolescence (re-victimisation). These associations were independent of genetic influences modelled through a twin-based genetic risk score and other key potential confounders. Conclusions Childhood violence victimisation predicts elevated inflammation levels in young women, independent of latent genetic influences.