Researchers investigated the combined impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and asthma on the risk of developing depressive symptoms in adulthood. Utilizing data from the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System 2010, which included 21,544 US adults, the study assessed the relationship between ACEs, asthma, and depression. Logistic regression models were used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for elevated depressive symptoms based on ACEs and asthma history. Additionally, marginal structural models were employed to address potential confounders linking ACEs, asthma, and depression.

The findings revealed that 52.3% of the participants reported one or more ACEs, 14.9% had a history of asthma, and 4.0% exhibited depressive symptoms. Both ACEs and asthma independently correlated with higher depressive symptoms (with aORs of 2.85 and 2.24, respectively). More significantly, an additive interaction was observed between ACEs and asthma in relation to depressive symptoms, indicated by the relative excess risk due to interaction of +1.63. This suggests that the presence of asthma may intensify the risk of depression in individuals with a history of ACEs.

Reference: Takemura Y, Sato K, Liang R, et al. Estimating the joint association of adverse childhood experiences and asthma with subsequent depressive symptoms: a marginal structural modelling approach. BMJ Ment Health. 2024;27:e300859.