Predictive Factors for Maxillofacial Trauma in Women Victims of Aggression: A 10-Year Analysis at a Level I Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Violence against women remains a global public health dilemma, with maxillofacial trauma serving as a frequent and critical consequence. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile, injury patterns, and key predictive factors associated with maxillofacial trauma resulting from aggression in women.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 4657 facial trauma records of women from a Level I Trauma Center, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil (2011-2020). The sample included 825 cases identified as victims of aggression. Predictor variables were aggressor identity, day of the week, and mechanism of aggression. The main outcomes were the type of fracture, multiple fractures, or blunt and sharp injuries. Covariates were age, race/ethnicity, marital status, length of hospital stay, concomitant injuries, and mandatory notification status. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests for correlation, and multivariate logistic regression determined the relationship between variables and predictive odds.

RESULTS

The sample profile was predominantly composed of young adults (mean age 32.9 ± 12.3 years) and individuals of mixed-race ethnicity (65.6%). Intimate partners were the dominant aggressors (52.6%). The logistic regression analysis revealed two major predictive findings: (1) aggression by the victim's child was a potent predictor for both middle-aged (OR = 24; p = 0.005) and elderly (OR = 56; p = 0.002) victims; and (2) intimate partner aggression showed a significant increase on Tuesdays (OR = 6; p = 0.024), beyond the expected weekend peak. Furthermore, the mechanism of aggression was significantly correlated with the type of fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified quantifiable maxillofacial trauma risk profiles in women: Child-to-parent aggression is highly predictive among older victims, and intimate partner aggression exhibits a significant pattern on Tuesdays. These findings underscore the crucial role of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in recognizing injury and temporal patterns to improve diagnostic accuracy, documentation, and public health surveillance.