Evaluating spousal abuse as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease: rationale, needs and challenges.
BACKGROUND
Repetitive head trauma is an identified risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The violence in wife assault is repetitive and targets the head. This association provides a rationale for studying the relationship between spousal abuse and AD.


METHODS
To preliminarily evaluate the possibility of an increased susceptibility for AD in women subjected to spousal abuse and to identify challenges associated with such a study, we performed a pilot case-control study involving women with AD and compared the incidence of spousal abuse against two control groups. Forty consecutive women with AD referred to a Memory Disorders Clinic were enrolled. Individuals were evaluated at three visits (0, 3, 9 months) and were followed for an additional 12 months to ensure that no other diagnosis emerged. Two control groups were likewise assessed.


RESULTS
17.5% (7/40) of the women (average age 71 years) with AD reported spousal abuse with head trauma. In control group 1, 5.0% (2/40) and in control group 2, 7.5% (3/40) of the women reported spousal abuse with head trauma.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of AD may be a potential long-term consequence of wife assault. Our study suggests spousal abuse as a possible risk factor for AD, and supports the need for larger studies. However, there are practical challenges associated with the successful execution of such a study.
Leung
Fok-Han
FH
School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Thompson
Kara
K
Weaver
Donald F
DF
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010507:Periodicity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*