Sexual and physical abuse in women with functional or organic gastrointestinal disorders.

ABSTRACT

PIP: This study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual and physical abuse among women seen in a gastroenterology clinic. A total of 206 patients, who completed a self-administered questionnaire, were included in the analysis. Results indicated that 89 patients (44%) reported a history of sexual abuse or physical abuse in childhood or later in life; and all except one of the physically abused were also sexually abused. Among them, only 17% had informed their doctors about the abuse. Moreover, the 75 patients (36%) with functional gastrointestinal disorders were more likely than those with organic disease diagnosis to report a history of forced intercourse, frequent physical abuse, chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, and more lifetime surgeries. They were also more likely to be receiving psychological counseling for emotional concerns. Furthermore, abused patients were more likely than nonabused patients to report pelvic pain, multiple somatic symptoms, and more lifetime surgeries. In conclusion, this study discovered that there is a high prevalence of a history of sexual and physical abuse among women seen in a referral-based gastroenterology clinic, particularly those with functional gastrointestinal disorders.