A Longitudinal Study of Correlates, Discharge Disposition, and Rate of Re-presentation to Emergency Services of Adults who Engage in Non-suicidal Self-injury.

OBJECTIVE: In DSM-5, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts (SA) are classified as distinct disorders in the section of conditions for further study. However, some have questioned the validity of distinguishing NSSI from SA. The objective of this study was to longitudinally examine the correlates, discharge disposition, and rate of re-presentation to emergency services of adults who engaged in NSSI and compare them to (a) adults who engage in SA and (b) adults with no self-harm or suicidal ideation (SI). METHOD: Data came from 4,772 presentations to adult psychiatric services in the emergency departments of tertiary care hospitals in Winnipeg, Canada between January 2009 and June 2012. Chart reviews were conducted for all presentations with NSSI (n = 158), and a sample of those with SA (n = 172) and no SH or SI (n = 173). RESULTS: Among the adults who returned to emergency services, those who originally presented with SA re-presented significantly sooner than those who presented with NSSI. (χ2(1) = 7.457, p = 0.006). Those who originally presented with NSSI that returned to hospital did not return with repeat NSSI, but instead the majority re-presented with suicidal thoughts and SA. Further, those who re-presented with NSSI and SA were less likely to be hospitalized or to receive a referral to mental health services, and more likely to be discharged to usual care at time of initial presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings indicate a trajectory of escalation of self-harm behavior for certain people who engage in NSSI, especially those who re-present to emergency services.HIGHLIGHTSA quarter of people with self-harm re-present to emergency services within four-and-a-half years.Those with suicide attempts re-presented significantly sooner than non-suicidal self-injury.There is a need for increased interventions in emergency services for those with self-harm.

A Comparison of Self-Harm Presentations to Emergency Services.

Background: In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, the distinction between nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts (SA) is highlighted in the section of conditions for further study. Aims: The objective of this study was to examine the correlates of people who presented to emergency departments (ED) with NSSI compared with those who presented with SA and no self-harm or suicidal ideation (no SH or SI). Method: Data came from 4,772 presentations to ED of tertiary care hospitals in Manitoba, Canada, between January 2009 and June 2012. Chart reviews were conducted for presentations with NSSI (n = 158), and a sample of SA (n = 172) and no SH or SI (n = 173). Results: NSSI was associated with borderline personality traits/disorders, previous history of SH, and aggression/impulsivity compared with no SH or SI. SA was associated with a lower likelihood of adjustment disorder (OR = 0.58; 95 % CI [0.34, 0.99]) and previous history of NSSI (OR = 0.30; 95 % CI [0.17, 0.53]) compared with NSSI. Limitations: A limitation of this study is its cross-sectional design. Conclusion: Given the distress associated with NSSI, the findings highlight the need for treatment plans that address all those who present to ED with SH regardless of intent.

Correlates of suicidality: investigation of a representative sample of Manitoba First Nations adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: We examined individual, friend or family, and community or tribe correlates of suicidality in a representative on-reserve sample of First Nations adolescents. METHODS: Data came from the 2002-2003 Manitoba First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey of Youth. Interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (n=1125) from 23 First Nations communities in Manitoba. We used bivariate logistic regression analyses to examine the relationships between a range of factors and lifetime suicidality. We conducted sex-by-correlate interactions for each significant correlate at the bivariate level. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified those correlates most strongly related to suicidality. RESULTS: We found several variables to be associated with an increased likelihood of suicidality in the multivariate model, including being female, depressed mood, abuse or fear of abuse, a hospital stay, and substance use (adjusted odds ratio range=2.43-11.73). Perceived community caring was protective against suicidality (adjusted odds ratio=0.93; 95% confidence interval=0.88, 0.97) in the same model. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study may be important in informing First Nations and government policy related to the implementation of suicide prevention strategies in First Nations communities.