Health outcomes associated with emergency department visits by adolescents for self-harm: a propensity-matched cohort study.

Health outcomes associated with emergency department visits by adolescents for self-harm: a propensity-matched cohort study.
CMAJ. 2019 Nov 04;191(44):E1207-E1216
Authors: Gardner W, Pajer K, Cloutier P, Currie L, Colman I, Zemek R, Hatcher S, Lima I, Cappelli M
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-harm is increasing among adolescents, and because of changing behaviours, current data are needed on the consequences of self-harm. We sought to investigate the trends related to hospital presentation, readmission, patient outcome and medical costs in adolescents who presented with self-harm to the emergency department.
METHODS: We used administrative data on 403 805 adolescents aged 13-17 years presenting to Ontario emergency departments in 2011-2013. Adolescents with self-harm visits were 1:2 propensity matched to controls with visits without self-harm, using demographic, mental health and other clinical variables. Five years after the index presentation, hospital or emergency department admission rates for self-harm, overall mortality, suicides and conservative cost estimates were compared between the 2 groups.
RESULTS: Of 5832 adolescents who visited Ontario emergency departments in 2011-2013 after self-harm (1.4% of visits), 5661 were matched to 10 731 adolescents who presented for reasons other than self-harm. Adolescents who presented with self-harm had a shorter time to a repeat emergency department or hospital admission for s...

Source: cmaj - November 3, 2019 Category: General Medicine Authors: Gardner W, Pajer K, Cloutier P, Currie L, Colman I, Zemek R, Hatcher S, Lima I, Cappelli M Tags: CMAJ Source Type: research