How Reliable is a Self-administered Questionnaire in Detecting Sexual Abuse: A Retrospective Study in Patients with Pelvic-Floor Complaints and a Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION: Sexual abuse and sexual functioning are topics that health professionals find difficult to discuss. Women who present with pelvic-floor complaints often experience sexual difficulties; therefore, questions regarding sexual function should be a routine part of screening. Furthermore, pelvic-floor complaints are correlated with sexual abuse and asking about abuse should be a routine part of screening as well. Considering the fact that many practitioners have difficulty enquiring about abuse, we have suggested that a questionnaire may be helpful in improving the recognition and management of patients who have a history of sexual abuse. AIM: The efficiency of detecting sexual abuse by a self-administered questionnaire. METHODS: Report of sexual abuse in a self-administered pelvic-floor questionnaire before visiting our outpatient pelvic-floor department was evaluated with the Pelvic Floor Leiden Inventories (PelFIs) administered by a pelvic- floor clinician in a later stage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The percentage of sexual abuse detected by a taken questionnaire administered by a pelvic-floor clinician not confessed during a previous self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Sexual abuse was reported in 20 patients with pelvic-floor dysfunction during administration of the PelFIs and were also evaluated on our pelvic-floor department. Only six of the patients (30%) did not note in the self-administered questionnaire that they had a history of sexual abuse. CONCLUSION: A self-administered questionnaire for pelvic-floor complaints is reliable in detecting sexual abuse and can be helpful in daily practice.