title: Sexual abuse history and pelvic floor disorders in women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual abuse rates in the general female population range between 15% and 25%, and sexual abuse is known to have a long-term impact on a woman's health. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of sexual abuse history in women presenting to clinicians for pelvic floor disorders (PFD) and to determine whether a history of sexual abuse is associated with a specific type of PFD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective chart review of new urogynecology patients seen at the University of New Mexico Hospital. All women underwent a standardized history and physical examination and completed symptom severity and quality-of-life measures. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine which PFDs were associated with a history of sexual abuse among women with and without a history of sexual abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1899 new urogynecology patients with complete information were identified from January 2007 and October 2011; 1260 (66%) were asked about a history of sexual abuse. The prevalence of sexual abuse was 213/1260 (17%). In the multivariable analysis, only chronic pelvic pain remained significantly associated with a history of sexual abuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A history of sexual abuse is common among women with PFDs, and these women were more likely to have chronic pelvic pain.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
authors.forename: Sara B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cichowski
authors.forename: Gena C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Dunivan
authors.forename: Yuko M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Komesu
authors.forename: Rebecca G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D059952:Pelvic Floor Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data