Do Early-Life Social, Behavioral, and Health Exposures Increase Later-Life Arthritis Incidence?

TitleDo Early-Life Social, Behavioral, and Health Exposures Increase Later-Life Arthritis Incidence?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsKemp, BR, Ferraro, KF, Morton, PM, Thomas, PA, Mustillo, SA, Crimmins, EM
JournalResearch on Aging
Volume44
Issue7-8
Pagination479-493
ISSN Number1552-7573
KeywordsAdverse Childhood Experiences, Body Mass Index, Cumulative inequality theory, Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates direct and indirect influences of childhood social, behavioral, and health exposures on later-life osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis development.

METHODS: Drawing from cumulative inequality theory and six waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2004-2014), we estimate structural equation modeling-based discrete-time survival analysis of the association between six childhood exposure domains and both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis incidence for men ( = 2720) and women ( = 2974). Using the delta method to test for mediation, we examine indirect effects via selected health-related risks and resources.

RESULTS: Risky adolescent behavior is associated with rheumatoid arthritis incidence for women (h.O.R. = 1.883, 95% C.I. [1.016, 3.490]), whereas several types of childhood exposures are associated with later-life osteoarthritis development for both men and women. Experiencing two or more childhood socioeconomic disadvantages is indirectly associated with osteoarthritis (men: coef. = 0.024, 95% C.I. [0.003, 0.045]; women: coef. = 0.111, 95% C.I. [0.071, 0.150]) and rheumatoid arthritis (men: coef. = 0.037, 95% C.I. [0.000, 0.074]; women: coef. = 0.097, 95% C.I. [0.035, 0.159]) development through adult body mass index.

DISCUSSION: Findings highlight the importance of childhood contexts in understanding the development of later-life osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

DOI10.1177/01640275211044979
Citation Key11942
PubMed ID34664538
PubMed Central IDPMC9016101