What factors are associated with repeated domestic assault in patients attending an emergency department? A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify what clinical variables are associated with repeat attendances at the emergency department (ED) in patients who have experienced domestic assault.
METHODS: A medical records-based cohort study was conducted in a single ED in Cambridge, UK. PARTICIPANTS: 294 adult patients with disclosed domestic assault presenting between 2001 and 2004 were followed up by examining their medical records until 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Re-presentation at the ED with disclosed domestic assault.
RESULTS: 45 patients re-presented at the ED with further domestic assault. Repeated assault was more likely in patients in whom no clear diagnosis was made (odds ratio (OR) 4.6 95%, CI 1.4 to 14.5; p<0.001), who had head injuries (OR 4.08, 95% CI 1.94 to 8.59; p<0.001), injuries to the upper limb (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.73; p=0.05), or who had a psychiatric diagnosis (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.34 to 8.76; p=0.1).
CONCLUSIONS: There are readily measurable clinical features that are associated with repeat ED attendance as a result of domestic assault.