Domestic violence against patients with chronic neurologic disorders.
BACKGROUND
Violent behavior caused by some neurologic disorders has been widely studied. However, the inverse, violence suffered by patients with neurologic disorders, has not been reported. Brain disorders frequently produce a high frequency of social, psychological, or physical disabilities that could leave patients vulnerable to domestic violence.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of domestic violence among female patients with chronic neurologic disorders and to identify possible diagnoses associated with the battering syndrome.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous survey.


METHODS
Tertiary care center for neurologic disorders in Mexico.


METHODS
One thousand consecutive adult female patients with neurologic disorders, separated by medical diagnosis of functional or structural disorders.


METHODS
A modified version of the Abuse Assessment Screen was administered. Statistical analysis was performed using Poisson regression to estimate the prevalence ratio by univariate and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
Overall, 31.2% of women with chronic neurologic disorders were survivors of domestic violence. When separated according to the nature of the disease, 35.3% of patients with functional disorders and 28.1% of patients with brain structural disorders were victims of domestic violence (P = .02). Risk increased in relation to duration of marriage, number of children, and work outside the home.


CONCLUSIONS
One third of female patients with chronic neurologic disorders in Mexico suffer domestic violence. A higher frequency of domestic violence was endured by patients with diagnosis of functional disorders as essential epilepsy, headache, migraine, trigeminal pain, depression, or vertigo. The possibility of domestic violence should be routinely explored in patients with chronic neurologic disorders of functional origin.
Díaz-Olavarrieta
C
C
Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Research Division, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, Mexico City, USA. claudido@fournier.facmed.unam.mx
Campbell
J
J
García de la Cadena
C
C
Paz
F
F
Villa
A R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence