TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - The characteristics, life problems and clinical management of older adults who self-harm: findings from the Multicentre Study of Self-Harm in England
JO  - International journal of geriatric psychiatry
A1  - Patel, Anita
A1  - Ness, Jennifer
A1  - Kelly, Samantha
A1  - Waters, Keith
A1  - Townsend, Ellen
A1  - Kapur, Nav
A1  - Clements, Caroline
A1  - Farooq, Bushra
A1  - Geulayov, Galit
A1  - Casey, Deborah
A1  - Hawton, Keith
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: Older adults have a high risk of suicide following self-harm. Contemporary information on self-harm in this population is needed to inform care provision. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To examine subgroup differences in the incidence of self-harm, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, preceding life problems and outcomes in individuals aged 60 years and over presenting to hospital following self-harm. <br><br>METHOD: Data on Emergency Department (ED) presentations for self-harm from 2003 to 2016 from three centres in the Multicentre Study of Self-Harm in England were analysed. Changes in self-harm rates were examined using Poisson regression. Univariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with 12-month self-harm repetition. <br><br>RESULTS: There were 3,850 presentations for self-harm by 2,684 individuals aged 60 years and over. Self-harm rates increased over time for 60-74-year-old men (IRR=1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.0001). Problems most frequently reported to have preceded self-harm were mental health (40.5%) and physical health (38.3%) concerns. Problems with alcohol, finances, employment and relationship with partner were found more frequently in 60-74-year-olds compared with those aged over 74 years. Physical health problems were common with increasing age, as were problems with alcohol for men. One in ten (10.8%) presented to hospital with self-harm within 12 months of their index presentation. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Self-harm-related ED attendances in older men have increased, particularly for men aged 60-74 years. Prevention and clinical management should involve a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to target common precipitants for the wide range of problems preceding self-harm and may include support with physical and mental wellbeing and advice on safer alcohol use.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0885-6230
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.5895
ID  - ref1
ER  -