@article{ref1,
title="Self-cutting and risk of subsequent suicide",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2015",
author="Carroll, Robert and Thomas, K. H. and Bramley, K. and Williams, S. and Griffin, L. and Potokar, J. and Gunnell, David",
volume="192",
number="",
pages="8-10",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Some studies suggest that people who self-cut have a higher risk of suicide than those who self-poison. Self-cutting ranges from superficial wrist cutting to severe self-injury involving areas such as the chest, abdomen and neck which can be life threatening. This study aimed to investigate whether the site of self-cutting was associated with risk of subsequent suicide. <br><br>METHODS: We followed-up 3928 people who presented to hospital following self-harm between September 2010 and December 2013 in a prospective cohort study based on the Bristol Self-harm Surveillance Register. Demographic information from these presentations was linked with coroner's data to identify subsequent suicides. <br><br>RESULTS: People who presented with self-cutting to areas other than the arm/wrist were at increased risk of suicide compared to those who self-poisoned (HR 4.31, 95% CI 1.27-14.63, p=0.029) and this increased risk remained after controlling for age, sex, history of previous self-harm and psychiatric diagnosis (HR 4.46, 95% CI 1.50-13.25, p<0.001). We observed no such increased risk in people presenting with cutting to the arm/wrist. LIMITATIONS: These data represent the experience of one city in the UK and may not be generalisable outside of this context. Furthermore, as suicide is a rare outcome the precision of our estimates is limited. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Site of self-injury may be an important indicator of subsequent suicide risk.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2015.12.007",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2015.12.007"
}