La violencia de pareja en las pacientes que consultan por dolor torácico en urgencias

Abstract

Objectives1) To determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in patients seen in the emergency department with chest pain. 2)To analyse the possible association between IPV and presence/control of vascular risk factors (VRF), psychic manifestations of stress, delay in requesting care, care received, and prognosis. MethodsThe study was conducted on 125 women, and included a targeted interview, the Partner Violence Screen (PVS) test, a 30-day follow-up telephone interview, and a one-year follow-up clinical history review. ResultsA total of 27 patients (21.6%) had a history of IPV, which was present in 4 of them. Women with a history of IPV were younger (53.7±15.0 vs. 64.0±18.4; P=.020), had more anxiety or a depressive syndrome (57.7% vs 13.5%; P<0.001), and consulted later (35.0±65.2days vs 7.9±25.0days; P=.047). Among older women (≥65years), there was more dyslipidaemia (100% vs 60.4%; P=.039) and worse blood pressure control (good control 20% vs 78.4%; P=.007) in those with a history of IPV. There were no differences in the diagnoses, tests, length of stay, admissions or prognosis among patients with or without a history of IPV, and there were no differences according to chronology of IPV. ConclusionsThe current or previous existence of IPV in patients who consult for chest pain in the emergency department is high. The existence of IPV is associated with a delay in consultation and greater anxiety, and may contribute to poor control of VRF, but does not affect the prognosis in the medium term.