Citation

Zieman G, Bridwell A, Cardenas JF. J. Neurotrauma 2016; 34(4): 876-880.

Affiliation

Barrow Neurological Institute, 115467, Neurology, Phoenix, Arizona, United States ; javier.cardenas@dignityhealth.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2016.4579

PMID

27312572

Abstract

Domestic violence is a national health crisis, which affects people of all ages, races and socioeconomic classes. Traumatic brain injury is common in victims due to the high frequency of head and neck injuries inflicted through abuse. These recurrent injuries can lead to chronic symptoms with high morbidity. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 115 patients with a history of head trauma as a result of domestic violence. All patients were seen in a subspecialty traumatic brain injury clinic, at which time information regarding their histories and self-reported symptoms were recorded. In total, 109 females and 6 males were included in our study, with an age range of 4-68 years. Overall, 88% reported more than one injury and 81% reported a history of loss of consciousness associated with their injuries. Only 21% sought medical help at the time of injury. While 85% had a history of abuse in adulthood, 22% experienced abuse in both childhood and adulthood, and 60% of the patients abused as children went on to be abused as adults. Headache was the most common chief complaint, but on a self-reported symptom severity scale, behavioral symptoms were the most severe. Psychiatric disease was present in 84% of patients. Traumatic brain injury is a frequent consequence of domestic violence, and many victims suffer multiple injuries without seeking medical care. Brain injuries are often sustained over many years and lead to lasting physical, behavioral and cognitive consequences. Better understanding of these injuries will lead to improved care for this population.

Language: en