Background: The prevalence of childhood trauma and its impact on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with mood disorders is unknown. We studied the frequency of childhood trauma among inpatient adults with mood disorders and its association with clinical outcomes.
Methods: Patients admitted to our hospital with a primary diagnosis of mood disorders completed the short form of the Early Trauma Inventory-Self-Report (ETISR-SF), the Sheehan Disability Scale, and the Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity scale. A regression model adjusted for multiple comparisons was used to examine the association between scores on the ETISR-SF and clinical outcomes.
Results: Subjects were 167 patients, all of whom reported ≥1 types of childhood trauma: 90% general trauma, 75% physical abuse, 71% emotional abuse, 50% sexual abuse, and 35% all 4 types of abuse. The subtypes of abuse did not differ by sex or race. Diagnoses in the sample were bipolar disorder 56%, major depressive disorder 24%, schizoaffective disorder 14%, and substance-induced mood disorder 5%. The mean age in the sample was 35±11.5 years, 53% were male, and 64% also had substance abuse disorders. Higher scores on the ETISR-SF were associated with longer hospital stays [odds ratio (OR)=1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.22], and greater disruption of work/school life (OR=1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.21). There was also a trend for higher ETISR-SF scores to be associated with more severe psychotic symptoms (OR=1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27) and more disruption in social (OR=1.14; 95% CI, 1.06-1.22) and family life (OR=1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17).
Conclusion: Childhood trauma was reported by all of the 167 patients, with general trauma the most common and approximately half reporting sexual abuse. Childhood trauma was associated with poor clinical outcomes. Early recognition of trauma and trauma-related therapeutic interventions may improve outcomes.