Sexual Assault Linked With Multisystem Functional Somatic Disorders

Background: Sexual assault (SA) is a widespread public health problem with lasting effects on both physical and mental health. While psychological outcomes like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are well-established, the physical, or somatic, consequences—particularly functional somatic disorders (FSDs)—are now gaining recognition. Prevalence of FSD is estimated to range from 9% to 16% in Europe, a number that has continued to change over the years. Previous studies have suggested links between conditions, such as fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but their cross-sectional nature makes the direction of causality unclear. Clarifying the link between SA and FSD is crucial to inform effective biopsychosocial interventions for survivors. Objective: To evaluate whether a history of SA independently increases the risk of developing FSDs, including specific syndromes, such as chronic widespread pain (CWP), IBS, chronic fatigue (CF), and multisystem disorders, d more...