Are childhood socio-economic circumstances related to coronary heart disease risk? Findings from a population-based study of older men.
BACKGROUND
The independent influence of childhood social circumstances on health in later life remains uncertain. We examined the extent to which childhood socio-economic circumstances are related to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in older British men, taking account of adult social class and behavioural risk factors.


METHODS
A socio-economically representative sample of 5552 British men (52-74 years) with retrospective assessment of childhood socio-economic circumstances (father's occupation and childhood household amenities) who were followed up for CHD (fatal and non-fatal) for 12 years.


RESULTS
Men whose childhood social class was manual had an increased hazard ratio (HR) 1.34 (95% CI 1.11-1.63)-this effect was diminished when adjusted for adult social class and adult behavioural risk factors (cigarette smoking, alcohol, physical activity and body weight) (HR 1.19; 95% CI 0.97-1.46). Men whose family did not own a car in their childhood were at increased CHD risk even after adjustments for adult social class and behaviours (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.75). Men with combined exposure to both childhood and adult manual social class had the highest risk of CHD (HR 1.51; 95% CI 1.19-1.91); this was substantially reduced by adjustment for adult behavioural risk factors (adjusted HR 1.28; 95% CI 0.99-1.65).


CONCLUSIONS
Less affluent socio-economic conditions in childhood may have a modest persisting influence on risk of CHD in later life.
Ramsay
Sheena E
SE
Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free Hospital and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, UK. s.ramsay@pcps.ucl.ac.uk
Whincup
Peter H
PH
Morris
Richard W
RW
Lennon
Lucy T
LT
Wannamethee
S G
SG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D001835:Body Weight; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D015438:Health Behavior; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D012924:Social Conditions; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology