Carroll R, Metcalfe C, Gunnell D. Hospital management of self-harm patients and risk of repetition: systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Affect Disord 2014;
168:476-83. [PMID:
25128754 DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2014.06.027]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Self-harm is a common reason for hospital presentation; however, evidence to guide clinical management of these patients to reduce their risk of repeat self-harm and suicide is lacking.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic review to investigate whether between study differences in reported clinical management of self-harm patients were associated with the risk of repeat self-harm and suicide.
RESULTS
Altogether 64 prospective studies were identified that described the clinical care of self-harm patients and the incidence of repeat self-harm and suicide. The proportion of a cohort psychosocially assessed was not associated with the recorded incidence of repeat self-harm or suicide; the incidence of repeat self-harm was 16.7% (95% CI 13.8-20.1) in studies in the lowest tertile of assessment levels and 19.0% (95% CI 15.7-23.0) in the highest tertile. There was no association of repeat self-harm with differing levels of hospital admission (n=47 studies) or receiving specialist follow-up (n=12 studies). In studies reporting on levels of hospital admission and suicide (n=5), cohorts where a higher proportion of patients were admitted to a hospital bed reported a lower incidence of subsequent suicide (0.6%, 95% CI 0.5-0.8) compared to cohorts with lower levels of admission (1.9%, 95% CI 1.1-3.2).
LIMITATIONS
In some analyses power was limited due to the small number of studies reporting the exposures of interest. Case mix and aspects of care are likely to vary between studies.
DISCUSSION
There is little clear evidence to suggest routine aspects of self-harm patient care, including psychosocial assessment, reduce the risk of subsequent suicide and repeat self-harm.
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