National estimates of emergency department visits for medication-related self-harm: United States, 2016-2019.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Medication poisoning is a common form of self-harm injury, and increases in injuries due to self-harm, including suicide attempts, have been reported over the last two decades.

Methods

Cross-sectional (2016-2019) data from 60 emergency departments (EDs) participating in an active, nationally representative public health surveillance system were analysed and US national estimates of ED visits for medication-related self-harm injuries were calculated.

Results

Based on 18 074 surveillance cases, there were an estimated 269 198 (95% CI 222 059 to 316 337) ED visits for medication-related self-harm injuries annually in 2016-2019 compared with 1 404 090 visits annually from therapeutic use of medications. Population rates of medication-related self-harm ED visits

SUBMITTER: Geller AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10249045 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature