Gender specific association of child abuse and adult cardiovascular disease in a sample of patients with basal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine whether child abuse or neglect is more strongly associated with adult cardiovascular disease, and whether these associations differ by gender. METHODS A total of 116 participants (mean age 57.75 years) reported their experience of childhood maltreatment using the well-validated Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. Cardiovascular disease was assessed using the Older Adults Resources Survey Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire. RESULTS Child abuse but not neglect was significantly associated with adult cardiovascular disease. The significant relationship between child abuse and cardiovascular disease was specific to women. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that being abused as a child is significantly associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood, particularly among women.