Clinical Cues/Health Impact of IPV
Be alert to patient/partner behavior(s) that may be an indication of an abusive relationship
- Patient missing appointments and/or not following up
- Partner always accompanies patient to appointments, speaking for her, interrupting her, hovering.
Even if a patient answers “No” to screening questions, there may be clinical cues that alert you to explore the issue further.
- Current or past IPV can result in acute injuries, behavioral health problems, and chronic medical disorders as shown in the following table:
IPV: Associations with Health |
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Physical Injuries
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-Bruises and petechia, lacerations, fractures, bites - (especially to head, neck, face [eyes, cheeks, lips, nose], arms, and breasts) and abdomen when pregnant
-strangulation, loose or broken teeth
-Death (homicide) |
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Mental Health |
-Depression
-Anxiety
-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
-Eating disorders
-Phobias
-Panic attacks
-Insomnia
-Death (suicide) |
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Substance Abuse |
-Alcohol and illicit drug abuse
-Cigarette smoking
-Tranquilizer and sleeping pill abuse |
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Chronic Disorders |
-Chronic pain syndromes
-Anemia
-Asthma
-Obesity
-Diabetes
-Headaches, migraines
-Hearing loss
-Temporo-mandibular disorders
-Fibromyalgia
-Cardiovascular disorders
-Arthritis
-Gastrointestinal disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, spastic colon, ulcers) |
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Reproductive Health |
-Unintended pregnancy
-Pelvic pain, dysmenorrheal, dyspareunia
-Vagninits
-Urinary tract infections
-Pelvic inflammatory disease
-Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV
-Abnormal cervical cancer screening tests (Pap)
-Non-viable pregnancies (miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth)
-Poor prenatal behaviors (late or no prenatal care, poor nutrition, smoking)
-Poor pregnancy outcomes (prematurity) |
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