The impact of sexual abuse on psychopathology of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Objectives: In the present study, we evaluated if the presence of sexual abuse in the clinical history of patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is associated with a different psychopathological profile. Materials and methods: In a consecutive population of 63 PNES patients, we compared two demographically and clinically matched groups of patients with (no. 15) and without (no. 48) a history of sexual abuse using a comprehensive psychopathological assessment (Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Dissociative Experience Scale, Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale). Results: We found that the group of patients reporting sexual abuse is characterized by higher scores on Dissociative Experience Scale (p = 0.003) and Beck Depression Inventory (p = 0.001) with respect to the other group. No significant statistical differences in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (p = 0.103), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (p = 0.137), and Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (p = 0.486) were captured. Moreover, we found that the negative effect on dissociate symptoms was also hampered by the increasing of seizure frequency. Conclusions: This study reinforces the importance of traumatic screening in the clinical spectrum of PNES in order to implement and improve specific therapeutic strategies.