Childhood Physical Abuse Linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A study shows that childhood physical abuse might significantly increase the risk of functional somatic syndromes such as CFS, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities among women. The new study by researchers from the University of Toronto will be published in the May issue of the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma.

In the study, over 7,000 women who had participated in a 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey were assessed for histories of child abuse. Approximately 10% of these women reported experiencing physical abuse as children. "Women who reported they had been physically abused as children have twice the odds of chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivities, and 65% higher odds of fibromyalgia" says lead investigator Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson, who holds the Sandra Rotman Chair at U of T's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Department of Family and Community Medicine.

You can read the full study report at ScienceDaily.

References

Esme Fuller-Thomson, Joanne Sulman, Sarah Brennenstuhl, Moeza Merchant. Functional Somatic Syndromes and Childhood Physical Abuse in Women: Data From a Representative Community-Based Sample. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 2011; 20 (4): 445 DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2011.566035.