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. 2016 Jul;37(4):256-264.
doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000391. Epub 2016 Jun 9.

Incidence Rates of Deliberate Self-Harm in Denmark 1994-2011

Britt Reuter Morthorst  1   2 , Bodil Soegaard  3 , Merete Nordentoft  1   2 , Annette Erlangsen  1   4
Affiliations

Incidence Rates of Deliberate Self-Harm in Denmark 1994-2011

Britt Reuter Morthorst et al. Crisis. 2016 Jul.

Erratum in

  • Correction to Morthorst et al., 2016.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Crisis. 2016 Jul;37(4):316. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000431. Epub 2016 Jun 24. Crisis. 2016. PMID: 27338293 No abstract available.

Abstract

Background: The validity and reliability of suicide statistics have been questioned and few nationwide studies of deliberate self-harm have been presented.

Aim: To calculate rates of deliberate self-harm in Denmark in order to investigate trends and assess the reliability of hospital records.

Method: A register study based on all individuals recorded with an episode of deliberate self-harm or probable deliberate self-harm in nationwide registers during 1994-2011.

Results: A substantial difference in the rates of deliberate self-harm and probable deliberate self-harm was noted for both genders. The average incidence rate of deliberate self-harm for women and men was 130.7 (95% CI = 129.6-131.8) per 100,000 and 86.9 (95% CI = 86.0-87.8) per 100,000, respectively. The rates of deliberate self-harm for women increased from 137.6 (95% CI = 132.9-142.3) per 100,000 in 1994 to 152.7 (95% CI = 147.8-157.5) in 2011. For a subgroup of younger women aged 15-24 years, an almost threefold increase was observed, IRR = 2.5 (95% CI = 2.4-2.7). The most frequently used method was self-poisoning.

Conclusion: The rates of deliberate self-harm and probable deliberate self-harm differed significantly. An increased incidence of deliberate self-harm among young Danish women was observed, despite detection bias. An improved registration procedure of suicidal behavior is needed.

Keywords: deliberate self-harm; hospital records; incidence rates; nationwide; suicidal behavior.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. lncidence rates by calendar year of registered episodes of deliberate self-harm and probable deliberate self-harm for women and men aged 10+ living in Denmark during 1994–2011.
Figure 2
Figure 2. lncidence rates by age of registered episodes of deliberate self-harm and probable deliberate self-harm for women and men aged 10+ living in Denmark during 1994–2011.
Figure 3
Figure 3. lncidence rates by age group and calendar year of deliberate self-harm and probable deliberate self-harm for women living in Denmark during 1994–2011.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Incidence rates pr. 100.000 by means of deliberately self-harming methods for women and men in all age groups as well as for those aged 15-24 years living in Denmark during 1994–2011*Note. Other include drowning, jumping, moving objects, weapon, and unspecific means
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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