Deliberate self-harm in the elderly : a comparison with younger adults

Abstract EN

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the elderly deliberate self-harm (DSH) cases in Maidstone and compare them with younger adult DSH cases.

Design and Setting: Structured information on all DSH cases admitted to Maidstone Hospital has been dept by the DSH team for 4 years.

We analysed the records of all DSH cases who were over 65 years and compared them with a random sample of the younger adults DSH cases presented to the services during the same period.

Results: The number of the elderly DHS cases in Maidstone was in the lower levels of the prevalence suggested in previous studies.

These elderly exhibited higher suicidal risks and has more serious suicidal attempts.

Conclusion: The association of the elderly DSH with physical health problems and the possible low referral rate of elderly DSH to A&E department suggest the need to move the DSH team work to primary care.