Non-fatal repetition of self-harm: population-based prospective cohort study in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Repeated self-harm is relatively common and is linked with an elevated risk of eventual suicide. There has been no study of this involving a large sample from the Far East.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the risk over the medium term of non-fatal repetition of self-harm and identify predictive factors in those carrying out self-harm.


METHODS
A total of 970 individuals who had self-harmed were recruited from a community-based suicide behaviour register system in Nantou, Taiwan from July 2000 to February 2003. Information regarding demography and suicide methods was collected. Individuals were followed-up until December 2005 to examine the risk of repeated self-harm and independent predictive factors.


RESULTS
Ninety cohort members had repeated self-harm during the follow-up period (accounting for 131 repeated self-harm episodes in all). The cumulative risks were 5.7% for the first year, 7.8% for the second year and 9.5% for the fourth year. The risk was highest within the first year after the self-harm event. Independent risk factors included female gender and self-cutting as well as self-poisoning with drugs. Effect of younger age was mediated through the choice of methods.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with self-harm have a high risk of repetition, especially within the first year. Suicide prevention strategies need to focus on intervening with this population to reduce their repetition.
Chen
Vincent C H
VC
Department of Psychiatry and School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Tan
Happy K L
HK
Cheng
Andrew T A
AT
Chen
Chung-Ying
CY
Liao
Long-Ren
LR
Stewart
Robert
R
Dewey
Michael
M
Prince
Martin
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention