TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Deliberate self-harm in older adults: a general hospital emergency department survey
JO  - Israel medical association journal : IMAJ
A1  - Briskman, Irina
A1  - Shelef, Assaf
A1  - Berger, Uri
A1  - Baruch, Yehuda
A1  - Bar, Gali
A1  - Asherov, Jack
A1  - Lvovski, Artur
A1  - Apter, Alan
A1  - Barak, Yoram
SP  - 160
EP  - 163
VL  - 19
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) increases the danger of future suicide death and the risk increases with age. Self-harm in older adults is often associated with greater suicidal intent and lethality. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical and psychosocial variables of older patients (age ≥ 65 years) assessed due to DSH, compared with younger adults. <br><br>METHODS: Patients admitted to the Emergency Department following DSH during an 8 year period were included. <br><br>RESULTS: Of 1149 participants, 187 (16.6%) were older adults (age ≥ 65) and 962 (83.4%) were younger adults (< 65). The older adults reported DSH closer to mid-day (P < 0.01) and suffered more frequently from adjustment disorder and depression. Personality disorders and schizophrenia were less commonly diagnosed (P < 0.001). Prescription medication (sedatives and hypnotics) were a more frequent means (88% vs. 71%) of DSH among older patients. Younger patients with DSH used over-the-counter medications (21.9% vs. 6.4%) three times more than did the older patients (P < 0.01). Past DSH was significantly more frequent in younger adults. Following DSH the older patients were frequently admitted for further general hospitalization (P < 0.001). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with DSH are a unique group with different clinical characteristics. There is a need for targeted prevention strategies and education of caregivers regarding DSH in older adults.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1565-1088
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -