JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Interpersonal violence has an extensive and profound impact on health, representing a public health concern. Different health outcomes have been identified based on the personal characteristics of both the victim and the abuser, their relationship, the type of violence perpetrated, and the cumulative effect of multiple violent experiences throughout a person's life.

Objective:

The main objective of this study is to estimate the likelihood of negative health outcomes occurring in adults presenting a clinical suspicion of experiencing interpersonal violence.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study, using secondary data from electronic health records of adult patients of the Local Health Unit of Matosinhos (ULSM). The control cohort included all patients aged between 18 and 59 years old followed at ULSM while the violence cohort included adult patients within the same age range who were suspected victims of interpersonal violence. Data regarding violence suspicion, comorbidities and health outcomes was obtained by conducting a text search on clinical notes, according to pre-defined keywords, as well as International Classification of Diseases 9 and 10 and International Classification of Primary Care 2 codes. The follow-up period was 10 years.

Results:

The control cohort included 154 145 patients, and the violence cohort included 36 835 patients. Adult suspected victims of interpersonal violence had a higher likelihood of developing alcohol and drug abuse, were 4.46 times as likely to develop a major psychiatric disorder; 5.5 times as likely to develop suicidal ideation; 3.68 times as likely to develop a chronic immune inflammatory disorder and 6.91 times as likely to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Conclusions:

Our findings lead to a deeper understanding of the complex burden of violence in health, uncovering new relationships between interpersonal violence and health outcomes while validating those already explored. Understanding the impact of exposure to violence in patients’ health status can be a first step in raising awareness and improving prevention and intervention strategies.