What factors are associated with repeated domestic assault in patients attending an emergency department? A cohort study. Issue 3 (19th March 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boyle, Adrian; Frith, Claire; Edgcumbe, Daniel; McDougall, Catriona
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 27:Issue 3(2010)
• Page Start: 203
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2010-03-19
• Subjects: Domestic -- emergency departments -- epidemiology -- interpersonal -- nursing -- violence; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.2009.072033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To identify what clinical variables are associated with repeat attendances at the emergency department (ED) in patients who have experienced domestic assault. Methods: A medical records-based cohort study was conducted in a single ED in Cambridge, UK. Participants: 294 adult patients with disclosed domestic assault presenting between 2001 and 2004 were followed up by examining their medical records until 2004. Main outcome Measures: Re-presentation at the ED with disclosed domestic assault. Results: 45 patients re-presented at the ED with further domestic assault. Repeated assault was more likely in patients in whom no clear diagnosis was made (odds ratio (OR) 4.6 95%, CI 1.4 to 14.5; p<0.001), who had head injuries (OR 4.08, 95% CI 1.94 to 8.59; p<0.001), injuries to the upper limb (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.73; p=0.05), or who had a psychiatric diagnosis (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.34 to 8.76; p=0.1). Conclusions: There are readily measurable clinical features that are associated with repeat ED attendance as a result of domestic assault.