Role of early life adversities in inflammation-related neuropsychiatric comorbidity in obesity

A growing body of data highlights the key role of adiposity-related inflammation in the development of neuropsychiatric comorbidity in obesity. Nevertheless, despite similar levels of inflammation, only a subgroup of obese subjects is afflicted with neuropsychiatric symptoms, suggesting the contribution of additional vulnerability factors. In light of previous work suggesting the involvement of early life adversity (ELA), this study aims to determine whether ELA promotes the emergence of inflammation-related neuropsychiatric symptoms in a sample of obese subjects.

Eighty-two adults afflicted with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) and twenty-one lean individuals (BMI < 25 kg/m²) were recruited. Depressive symptoms, fatigue and neurobehavioral symptoms were assessed through semi-structured interviews and validated self-reports. ELA was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Systemic inflammation was determined through serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

In the whole population under study, hsCRP concentrations were significantly associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, consistent with the increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric comorbidity in obese subjects. Significant associations were also found between ELA severity and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Although they did not influence hsCRP levels, ELA antecedents in obese subjects were associated with more marked mood, fatigue and cognitive symptoms. Among ELA, sexual abuse was the only significant predictor of the association between hsCRP levels and neuropsychiatric comorbidity in obesity. These findings support the hypothesis that ELA represents a potent vulnerability factor for the development of neuropsychiatric comorbidity in obese subjects with chronic inflammation.