Adverse childhood experiences and chronic lung diseases in adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) affect physical and mental health and may appear as risk factors for the development of different conditions in adult life. Objective: To perform a literature review and meta-analysis on risk indicators for the development of chronic lung diseases in adulthood associated with ACE. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using the online databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Quantitative studies involving male and female adults were included. Fixed- and random-effect models were used in the estimation of meta-analytical measures. The heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I(2) statistics and Cochran’s Q test. Results: A total of 19 studies were selected for the meta-analysis. The analyses showed statistically significant associations between ACE and lung diseases in general (OR = 1.41; CI 95%: 1.28–1.54), besides specific associations with asthma (OR = 1.32; CI 95%: 1.13–1.50) and COPD (OR = 1.44; CI 95%: 1.13–1.76). When the mediating effect of smoking was assessed separately we found a significant – although not quite expressive – association (OR = 1.06; CI 95%: 1.02 to 1.10), which weakens the hypothesis that a direct relationship exists between childhood trauma and the occurrence of lung diseases. Conclusions: ACE are an important risk factor for the development of lung diseases in adulthood, whether through direct or indirect contribution to this outcome, which highlights the relevance of increasing the awareness of health staff for the early detection and intervention in situations of vulnerability or risk in childhood as an important preventative measure.