Patterns of self-harm methods over time and the association with methods used at repeat episodes of non-fatal self-harm and suicide: A systematic review.
Change
Evolution
Method
Self-harm
Suicide
Journal
Journal of affective disorders
ISSN: 1573-2517
Titre abrégé: J Affect Disord
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 7906073
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 02 2019
15 02 2019
Historique:
received:
16
07
2018
revised:
12
09
2018
accepted:
01
11
2018
pubmed:
12
11
2018
medline:
10
4
2019
entrez:
12
11
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The risk of self-harm repetition and suicide may be influenced by self-harm method choice. However, there are mixed findings regarding whether there is a discernible pattern in self-harm methods over successive episodes of non-fatal self-harm, and if so, how these may be associated with self-harm repetition and/or suicide. A systematic review of five electronic databases was undertaken until 31 May 2018 to identify cohort studies on patterns of self-harm methods and their association with methods used either at repeat self-harm episodes and/or suicide. 15 studies were included reporting data on of 127,371 participants. Over an average follow-up period of 2.8 years, one-third (33.3%) switched methods between episodes of self-harm, most commonly from self-injury to self-poisoning. For suicide, almost one-half (42.1%) switched methods over an average follow-up period of 11.2 years. Studies were characterised by a moderate study quality. Studies tended to group all methods into self-injury and/or self-poisoning with little consideration as to the diverse range of self-harm methods included within these broad categories and the likely differences in potential lethality between these methods. Few investigated the role of alcohol and/or drug dependence and mental illness on self-harm method choice. Given the frequency of method switching observed, and the lack of discernible patterns over time, all patients should be routinely assessed for risk and needs irrespective of the method used at the index episode of non-fatal self-harm.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The risk of self-harm repetition and suicide may be influenced by self-harm method choice. However, there are mixed findings regarding whether there is a discernible pattern in self-harm methods over successive episodes of non-fatal self-harm, and if so, how these may be associated with self-harm repetition and/or suicide.
METHODS
A systematic review of five electronic databases was undertaken until 31 May 2018 to identify cohort studies on patterns of self-harm methods and their association with methods used either at repeat self-harm episodes and/or suicide.
RESULTS
15 studies were included reporting data on of 127,371 participants. Over an average follow-up period of 2.8 years, one-third (33.3%) switched methods between episodes of self-harm, most commonly from self-injury to self-poisoning. For suicide, almost one-half (42.1%) switched methods over an average follow-up period of 11.2 years.
LIMITATIONS
Studies were characterised by a moderate study quality. Studies tended to group all methods into self-injury and/or self-poisoning with little consideration as to the diverse range of self-harm methods included within these broad categories and the likely differences in potential lethality between these methods. Few investigated the role of alcohol and/or drug dependence and mental illness on self-harm method choice.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the frequency of method switching observed, and the lack of discernible patterns over time, all patients should be routinely assessed for risk and needs irrespective of the method used at the index episode of non-fatal self-harm.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30415124
pii: S0165-0327(18)31531-3
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.001
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
250-264Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.