Characteristics and burden of hospitalization because of intentional self-harm: Thai national, hospital-based data for 2010

• Published in: Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol. 95 Suppl 7; p. S156
• Main Authors: Paholpak, Pongsatorn, Rangseekajee, Poonsri, Arunpongpaisal, Suwanna, Piyavhatkul, Nawanant, Thepsuthammarat, Kaewjai, Paholpak, Suchat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thailand 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Female; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; International Classification of Diseases; Male; Risk Factors; Self-Injurious Behavior - epidemiology; Self-Injurious Behavior - psychology; Thailand - epidemiology; Thailand
• ISSN: 0125-2208

There is a paucity of data on intentional self-harm and suicide in Thailand. It is crucial to re-evaluate the burden and health outcomes. To measure the character and burden of acts of intentional self-harm in the Thai hospitalized population. Acts of intentional-self harm were categorized using ICD 10 classification. All of inpatient-related data were analyzed using SPSS 17. Overall intentional self-harm in 2010 led to 24,924 hospitalizations and 854 deaths; an incidence of 35.6/100,000 people with the highest level in two age groups: 18-25 and 26-40 year-olds. Self-poisoning (89%) was the most common method and pesticide was the leading used chemical agents. The total cost of treatment was 149,672,190 baht and the mean length of stay was 2.9 +/- 6.7 days. The mortality rate increased as the population got older with the highest rate being 10.6% for 70-79 year-olds. In 33.8% of cases, psychiatric co-diagnosis were found with anxiety disorders was the leading comorbidity. The incidence of intentional self-harm was medium to high, compared to other East Asians countries. Self-poisoning by exposure to pesticides was the most common self-harm method. Age over 60 had the highest mortality rate. Having a psychiatric co-diagnosis was common.