3 research outputs found
Acute Severe Pain Is a Common Consequence of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault (SA) is common, but the epidemiology of acute pain after SA has not previously been reported. We evaluated the severity and distribution of pain symptoms in the early aftermath of SA among women receiving sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) care, and the treatment of pain by SANE nurses. Severe pain (β₯7 on a 0β10 numeric rating scale) was reported by 53/83 women sexual assault survivors (64% [95% CI, 53%β74%]) at the time of SANE evaluation and 43/83 women (52% [95% CI, 41%β63%]) one week later. Pain in four or more body regions was reported by 44/83 women (53% [95% CI, 42%β64%]) at the time of initial evaluation and 49/83 women (59% [95% CI, 48%β70%]) at one week follow-up. Among survivors with severe pain at the time of initial post-assault evaluation, only 7/53 (13% [95% CI, 6%β26%]) received any pain medication at the time of initial SANE treatment. These findings suggest that pain is common in SA survivors in the early post-assault period, but rarely treated
Acute Severe Pain Is a Common Consequence of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault (SA) is common, but the epidemiology of acute pain after SA has not previously been reported. We evaluated the severity and distribution of pain symptoms in the early aftermath of SA among women receiving sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) care, and the treatment of pain by SANE nurses. Severe pain (β₯7 on a 0β10 numeric rating scale) was reported by 53/83 women sexual assault survivors (64% [95% CI, 53%β74%]) at the time of SANE evaluation and 43/83 women (52% [95% CI, 41%β63%]) one week later. Pain in four or more body regions was reported by 44/83 women (53% [95% CI, 42%β64%]) at the time of initial evaluation and 49/83 women (59% [95% CI, 48%β70%]) at one week follow-up. Among survivors with severe pain at the time of initial post-assault evaluation, only 7/53 (13% [95% CI, 6%β26%]) received any pain medication at the time of initial SANE treatment. These findings suggest that pain is common in SA survivors in the early post-assault period, but rarely treated. PERSPECTIVE: Acute pain is common after sexual assault. Practice guidelines for SANE nurses and others who provide care to sexual assault survivors in the early aftermath of assault should include specific recommendations for pain evaluation and treatment. Prospective longitudinal studies of pain outcomes among sexual assault survivors are needed