Understanding associations of early-life adversities with mid-life inflammatory profiles: Evidence from the UK and USA

•Physical abuse and neglect are associated with elevated adult CRP and fibrinogen.•Emotional neglect and psychological abuse are not associated with CRP or fibrinogen.•Associations are inconsistent for socioeconomic disadvantage, and sexual abuse (by race).•Adult adiposity is a likely intermediary between adversity and adult inflammation.•For specific adversities weight loss/obesity prevention may offset inflammatory states. In two cohorts, we aimed to establish associations between early-life adversities and adult inflammation, and whether adult (a) adiposity or (b) socioeconomic disadvantage are key intermediaries. In both cohorts (N = 7661, 1958 British birth cohort; N = 1255, MIDUS), information was used on adult inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and (MIDUS only) interleukin-6 (IL-6)), adiposity and socioeconomic disadvantage, and early-life adversities (neglect, emotional neglect, physical, psychological, sexual abuse and childhood disadvantage). Early-life adversities varied from 1.6% (sexual abuse, 1958 cohort) to 14.3% (socioeconomic disadvantage, MIDUS). Across the two cohorts, associations were consistent for physical abuse, e.g. 16.3%(3.01,29.7) and 17.0%(−16.4,50.3) higher CRP in the 1958 cohort and MIDUS respectively. Associations attenuated after accounting for adult adiposity, e.g. physical abuse (1958 cohort) and sexual abuse (MIDUS, non-white participants) associations were abolished. Some associations attenuated after adjustment for adult socioeconomic disadvantage; e.g. 1958 cohort neglect–CRP associations reduced from 23.2%(13.7,32.6) to 17.7%(8.18,27.2). Across the cohorts, no associations were found for psychological abuse or emotional neglect; associations for childhood socioeconomic disadvantage were inconsistent. Specific early-life adversities are associated with adult inflammation; adiposity is a likely intermediary factor. Weight reduction and obesity prevention may offset pro-inflammatory related adult disease among those who experienced early-life adversities.