@article{ref1,
title="The association between deliberate self-harm and menstrual cycle among patients admitted to Hospital Kuala Lumpur",
journal="Hong Kong journal of psychiatry",
year="2008",
author="Ainsah, O. and Norharlina, B. and Osman, C.B.",
volume="18",
number="4",
pages="158-165",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the menstrual cycle and deliberate self-harm. Participants and Methods: This was a case-control study on consecutive eligible female patients (n = 86) admitted to Hospital Kuala Lumpur following an episode of deliberate self-harm (defined by Hawton, 1999) and controls admitted for acute minor medical problems during the period March to June 2005. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Suicide Intent Scale were administered to diagnose psychiatric disorders and to assess suicidal intensity. <br><br>RESULTS: Patients with deliberate self-harm were associated with the age-group of 18 to 29 years (84%), being single (61%), and employed (78%). They were also significantly associated with being of Malay origin (p < 0.05), having a lower education level (p < 0.05), lacking a confiding relationship (p < 0.05), and having a depressive disorder (p < 0.05). The commonest method was self-poisoning (91%). More than half of the patients had medium suicidal intent. Deliberate self-harm was significantly associated with the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (p < 0.05), later onset of menarche (p < 0.05), and shorter duration of menses (p < 0.05). Diagnoses of depressive disorders were not significantly different according to the phase of the menstrual cycle (p > 0.05). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Menstrual factors may be significantly associated with deliberate self-harm. Further investigations are recommended to explore psychosocial and physiological factors associated with deliberate self-harm in young women. © 2008 Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1026-2121",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}