Sexual Abuse and Lifetime Diagnosis of Somatic Disorders
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Molly L. Paras, BS;
- Mohammad Hassan Murad, MD;
- Laura P. Chen, BS;
- Erin N. Goranson, BS;
- Amelia L. Sattler, BS;
- Kristina M. Colbenson, BS;
- Mohamed B. Elamin, MBBS;
- Richard J. Seime, PhD;
- Larry J. Prokop, MLS;
- Ali Zirakzadeh, MD
- Author Affiliations: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (Mss Paras, Chen, Goranson, Sattler, and Colbenson); Division of Preventive Medicine (Dr Murad) and Knowledge and Encounter Research Unit (Drs Murad and Elamin); Department of Psychiatry and Psychology (Dr Seime); Mayo Clinic Libraries (Mr Prokop); and Department of General Internal Medicine (Dr Zirakzadeh), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Abstract
Context Many patients presenting for general medical care have a history of sexual abuse. The literature suggests an association between a history of sexual abuse and somatic sequelae.
Objective To systematically assess the association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of somatic disorders.
Data Sources and Extraction A systematic literature search of electronic databases from January 1980 to December 2008. Pairs of reviewers extracted descriptive, quality, and outcome data from included studies. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled across studies by using the random-effects model. The I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity.
Study Selection Eligible studies were longitudinal (case-control and cohort) and reported somatic outcomes in persons with and without history of sexual abuse.
Results The search identified 23 eligible studies describing 4640 subjects. There was a significant association between a history of sexual abuse and lifetime diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.36-4.31; I2 = 82%; 5 studies), nonspecific chronic pain (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.54-3.15; 1 study), psychogenic seizures (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.12-4.69, I2 = 0%; 3 studies), and chronic pelvic pain (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.73-4.30, I2 = 40%; 10 studies). There was no statistically significant association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of fibromyalgia (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.85-3.07, I2 = 0%; 4 studies), obesity (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.88-2.46; I2 = 71%; 2 studies), or headache (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.96-2.31; 1 study). We found no studies that assessed syncope. When analysis was restricted to studies in which sexual abuse was defined as rape, significant associations were observed between rape and a lifetime diagnosis of fibromyalgia (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.51-7.46), chronic pelvic pain (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.02-10.53), and functional gastrointestinal disorders (OR, 4.01; 95% CI, 1.88-8.57).
Conclusion Evidence suggests a history of sexual abuse is associated with lifetime diagnosis of multiple somatic disorders.
