Abuse and revictimization in adulthood in multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study during pregnancy

Abstract

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.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Development: A Review of Potential Mechanisms

“…The largest case-control study combined physical and verbal abuse into one abuse exposure but did not include sexual abuse [29]. These two studies did not find associations between childhood abuse and MS. Interestingly, emotional and sexual abuse were the most common abuse categories associated with MS in the studies that reported associations [31,36,38].…”

“…Furthermore, exposure to abuse and neglect in childhood increases the risk of experiencing abuse as an adult [79]. A Norwegian cohort study found a two-fold higher risk of experiencing repeated abuse as an adult after experiencing childhood abuse among women with MS compared to women without MS [38]. People with MS and a history of ACEs can therefore be exposed to a vicious chain of repeated stressful events and unfavorable coping.…”