Citation

Paholpak P, Rangseekajee P, Arunpongpaisal S, Piyavhatkul N, Thepsuthammarat K, Paholpak S. J. Med. Assoc. Thai. 2012; 95(Suppl 7): S156-S162.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. ppaholpak@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Medical Association of Thailand)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23130448

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on intentional self-harm and suicide in Thailand. It is crucial to re-evaluate the burden and health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To measure the character and burden of acts of intentional self-harm in the Thai hospitalized population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Acts of intentional-self harm were categorized using ICD 10 classification. All of inpatient-related data were analyzed using SPSS 17. RESULTS: Overall intentional self-harm in 2010 led to 24,924 hospitalizations and 854 deaths; an incidence of 35.6/100,000 people with the highest level in two age groups: 18-25 and 26-40 year-olds. Self-poisoning (89%) was the most common method and pesticide was the leading used chemical agents. The total cost of treatment was 149,672,190 baht and the mean length of stay was 2.9 +/- 6.7 days. The mortality rate increased as the population got older with the highest rate being 10.6% for 70-79 year-olds. In 33.8% of cases, psychiatric co-diagnosis were found with anxiety disorders was the leading comorbidity. CONCLUSION: The incidence of intentional self-harm was medium to high, compared to other East Asians countries. Self-poisoning by exposure to pesticides was the most common self-harm method. Age over 60 had the highest mortality rate. Having a psychiatric co-diagnosis was common.

Language: en