BMJ. 1990 Mar 17;300(6726):705-8.
Medical problems of adults who were sexually abused in childhood.
Arnold RP, Rogers D, Cook DA.
Fromeside Clinic, Glenside Hospital, Bristol.
The aim of the study was to see whether adults who had been sexually abused
in childhood were vulnerable to physical symptoms and therefore
investigation and intervention. The case histories of seven patients who
were aged 22-39, were under the care of three consultant psychiatrists, had
experienced childhood sexual abuse, and had a history of medical or surgical
intervention were surveyed. The patients had had a mean of 18 contacts with
non-psychiatric consultant teams and a mean of eight operations, with a high
rate (66-70%) of normal findings. They had experienced many somatic
symptoms, which led to investigations and interventions in the specialties
of gynaecology, obstetrics, gastroenterology, urology, rheumatology,
haematology, orthopaedics, neurology, and neuropsychiatry. The history of
childhood sexual abuse was recognised only in the later stages of this
medical and surgical intervention. The possibility of childhood sexual abuse
should be considered earlier in such cases to prevent further unnecessary
intervention.
