Role of physical, psychological and sexual abuse in functional digestive disorders. A case-controls trial.

• Published in: Revista de gastroenterología de México Vol. 73; no. 4; pp. 209 - 216
• Main Authors: Remes-Troche, J M, Cid-Juárez, S, Campos-Ramos, I, Ramos-de la Medina, A, Galmiche, A, Schmulson-Wasserman, M, Roesch-Dietlen, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Mexico 2008
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety - complications; Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - psychology; Child; Child Abuse; Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - complications; Depression - etiology; Depression - psychology; Digestive System Diseases - etiology; Digestive System Diseases - psychology; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Spouse Abuse - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Violence
• ISSN: 0375-0906

Abuse has been considered a significant factor on the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), especially for severe and treatment-refractory patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of all FGID according to Rome II criteria, in a group of women with history of physical, psychological and/or sexual abuse. A cross sectional study was performed in 96 women (37 +/- 12 years of age) with history of physical, psychological and/or sexual abuse (cases); and 96 open population women (36 +/- 14 years of age) (controls). The following evaluations were administered: Rome II questionnaire, a self-administered instrument to evaluate history of physical (beating), psychological(insults, public humiliation) and/or sexual abuse (rape, coercion), and HAD questionnaire. Among 96 women with history of abuse,91 (95%) reported to have suffered psychological abuse, 72 (75%) physical abuse, and 24 (25%)sexual abuse. Women with history of abuse had a higher prevalence of rumination (6% vs. 0%, p= 0.02), functional heartburn (26% vs. 13%, p =0.04), aerofagia (17% vs. 5%, p = 0.019), irritable bowel syndrome (38% vs. 18%, p = 0.002), fecalin continence (16% vs. 4%, p = 0.01), elevator anisyndrome (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.05), and proctalgia fugax (29% vs. 15%, p = 0.02) compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between anxiety (r = 0.5, p = 0.001) and depression scores(r = 0.45, p = 0.001), and the number of FGID. We demonstrated a high prevalence of FGID among women with history of physical,psychological, and/or sexual abuse. In this association,concomitant anxiety and depression play a significant role.