Association between Adverse Childhood Events ACEs and long-term COVID-19 symptoms…, 2025, Elkefi et al.

[SNT Gatchaman]

Association between Adverse Childhood Events ACEs and long-term COVID-19 symptoms: evidence from the 2022 behavioral risk factor surveillance system
Elkefi, Safa; Steffen, Alana; Matthews, Alicia K.

OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the association between Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) and long-term COVID-19 symptoms.

METHODS
We used data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between long-term COVID symptoms and ACEs, adjusting for demographic characteristics (race/ethnicity, age, and sex). Survey weights were applied.

RESULTS
Of the 14,560 participants, 46.73% experienced 1–3 ACEs, and 26.81% experienced 4 + ACEs—23.38% experienced long-term COVID-19 symptoms. Blacks (OR = 0.76, P =.002) and Asians (OR = 0.56, P =.009) were less likely than Whites to experience long-term COVID-19, but American Indians (OR = 1.72) were more likely. Adults aged 35–69 had a higher likelihood of long-term symptoms than younger adults (OR = 1.24), whereas those aged 70 or older did not differ from younger adults. Females were also more likely to experience them (OR = 1.61). Exposure to ACEs was positively associated with long-term COVID-19 symptoms. The more adverse events individuals were exposed to, the more risk of long-term COVID-19. Specifically, experience of household substance abuse (OR = 1.14, 95%, P =.008), physical abuse (OR = 1.18, 95%, P =.001), emotional abuse (OR = 1.13, 95%, P =.014), sexual abuse (OR = 1.43, 95%, P <.001), and household mental illness (OR = 1.35, 95%, P <.001) were positively associated with the long-term COVID-19 experience.

CONCLUSIONS
Study findings contribute to the extensive literature demonstrating the negative health consequences of childhood adversities. More adverse events resulted in more risk to experience long term COVID-19 symptoms. Additional research is needed to better understand and intervene in the biological vulnerabilities associated with childhood adversities.

Link | PDF | BMC Public Health [Open Access]

 

[hotblack]

Or perhaps those who had poor childhood experiences were also living in poor condition which impacts their health?

As far as the pandemic went all those who were able to get their wages paid, work from home while hanging out in their gardens no doubt had very different experiences from those living in small flats or being laid off and having to work delivery jobs to the first group. There is a clearer causal relationship between adverse childhood events and economic outcomes than on biological systems AFAIK. (Edit: although maybe that’s more correlation not direct causation too)

 

[Utsikt]

Study findings contribute to the extensive literature demonstrating the negative health consequences of childhood adversities.

No, it has not. Correlation does not imply causation. How does claims like these ge published again and again?!

More adverse events resulted in more risk to experience long term COVID-19 symptoms.

They did not result in a higher risk. All you have is an association.

 

[Peter T]

Also retrospective studies tend to over report adverse events when looking to explain current problems or health issues. What is required is a definition of what constitutes adverse events and then follow up children who have had those experiences and see if they disproportionately develop the health issue under consideration, whilst also controlling for socioeconomic factors, etc.

Even if there is a correlation it could be incidental, eg children experiencing adverse events are more likely to live in households with poor nutrition or are just more likely to be exposed to Covid and therefore more at risk of Long Covid.

 

[MrMagoo]

Given that bullying and discrimination are ACE’s, it seems curious that Black and Asian groups were less likely to have the long Covid, yet would be more “at risk” of ACEs.
Or to put it another way, this study is a load of old tosh.
Specifically which ACE’s? They’re not all equal. You can’t say someone who experienced sexual abuse is affected the same way as someone who grew up in a violent neighbourhood, or who witnessed their parents divorce. Well you could, but you’d be wrong.