How Early Abuse Affects Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis Rates

A groundbreaking study by the University of Birmingham reveals a compelling link between early abuse or childhood maltreatment and the heightened risk of developing immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs), specifically rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, later in life.

Using the advanced Dexter software platform, researchers analyzed a database of over 16 million electronic health records, enabling precise longitudinal tracking of disease development over 26 years.

Key Findings

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Incidence rates were 11.19 per 100,000 patient years in the maltreatment group, compared to 7.77 per 100,000 in the non-maltreatment group (p=0.003).
• Psoriasis: Incidence rates were 152.79 per 100,000 patient years versus 128.74 per 100,000 (p<0.001).
• Gender Disparity: Women exposed to maltreatment exhibited a more pronounced risk than men. Join HerHealth Oncology Congress 2025 for the latest news on women’s health.

How Early Abuse Affects Health

Childhood abuse, neglect, and domestic violence can initiate long-term biological and psychological changes, including heightened stress responses and chronic inflammation. These changes may predispose individuals to autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Innovative Use of Big Data

This study stands out as the first matched cohort longitudinal study to examine the association between childhood maltreatment and IMIDs comprehensively.

Key advantages of the Dexter software include:

• Rapid analysis of billions of data points.
• Reproducible and transparent results.
• Insights into healthcare inequalities and the potential to improve resource allocation.

Implications for Public Health and Research

• Scientific Exploration: The study highlights the need to investigate biological pathways linking childhood stress to immune diseases.
• Healthcare Impact: It underscores the importance of addressing early-life adversities in public health policies.

More Information: Liam Snook et al, The risk of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases following exposure to childhood maltreatment: A retrospective cohort study using UK primary care data. Heliyon (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40493.