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Citation
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Eid K, Torkildsen, Aarseth J, Celius EG, Cortese M, Holmøy T, Kapali A, Myhr KM, Torkildsen CF, Wergeland S, Gilhus NE, Bjørk MH. J. Neurol. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Knowledge concerning exposure to abuse in adulthood and in pregnancy in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is sparse.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of adult abuse and abuse in relation to pregnancy in women with MS and their risk of revictimization (repeated abuse as adults after childhood abuse).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised pregnant women from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort study. Information on abuse was acquired through self-completed questionnaires. We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS: We identified 106 women with MS at enrollment through linkage with national health registries. The reference group consisted of 77,278 women without MS. Twenty-seven women (26%) with MS reported any adult abuse compared to 15,491 women (20%) without MS, aOR 1.33 (0.85-2.09). Twenty-two (21%) women with MS reported systematic emotional abuse compared to 13% without MS, aOR 1.75 (1.08-2.83). Ten women (10%) with MS reported sexual abuse, compared to 6% without MS, aOR 1.72 (0.89-3.33). More women with MS reported rape as an adult, aOR 2.37 (1.02-5.49). Women with MS had higher risk of revictimization as adults, after childhood abuse, aOR 2.23 (1.22-4.10). The risk of abuse during pregnancy or 6 months preceding pregnancy was similar between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Women with MS had increased occurrence of systematic emotional abuse, rape, and revictimization as adults, compared to women without MS.
Language: en |