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Traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is the leading cause of all deaths for Americans less than 44 years old, is defined as “an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force that may result in cognitive impairment". Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a type of domestic violence that is defined as “behaviors that are intended to exert power and control over another individual, including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse, and/or stalking".
Individuals at Increased Risk of TBI Secondary to Domestic Violence |
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Females of child-bearing age [12] |
Individuals with disabilities [12] |
Previous TBI (from domestic abuse or other cause) [1][3][15][16][17][18] |
Low annual household income [11] |
Minority races (Native American, Black, Asian) [1][11][19][20] |
Female military veterans [21][22] |
LGBTQIA+ communities [22] |
Elderly (>60 years old) and children [13][23] |
Common Presenting Symptoms of TBI Secondary to Domestic Violence |
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Neurologic symptoms: headache, confusion, memory loss [38] |
Gastrointestinal symptoms: malnutrition, alcoholic cirrhosis, loss of appetite, abdominal pain [37][38] |
Genitourinary symptoms (may indicate sexual abuse): vaginal infections, STDs, vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, UTI [38] |
Symptoms that may indicate strangulation: hoarseness, petechiae in conjunctivae, scalp, and external ear [40] |
Psychiatric symptoms: emotionally labile, restless, combative, catatonic [40] |
Other common symptoms: bruises, back pain, acquired thrombocytopenia, post-traumatic wound infection [26][37] |