Intimate partner violence among women with multiple sclerosis

Intimate partner violence (IPV), a highly prevalent issue in women with chronic disorders, is rarely discussed and remains unrecognized, especially among patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and characteristics of IPV among female patients with MS.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024 among married women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) aged between 15 and 50 years, with a minimum duration of diagnosis of one year, in Isfahan MS center. IPV experiences were documented via a partially structured interview and a pre-designed questionnaire. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and multivariate binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Among 400 participants in this study, approximately 52% encountered incidences of IPV. Physical violence was the most prevalent form (60% of victims), followed by emotional (50% of victims) and sexual (16% of victims) forms. No significant association between incidents of IPV and demographic data of the patients and their spouses was found.

Although IPV is considerably prevalent among female patients with MS, it severely lacks recognition. All women with MS, regardless of their sociodemographics, might be subject to violence. To prevent IPV, protective measures, including training programs for neurologists and neurology-associated healthcare providers, must be employed. Future research should focus on exploring the negative effects of IPV on disease progression and prognosis.