Deliberate self-harm in older adults: A national analysis of US emergency department visits and follow-up care.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To examine mental health care received by older adults following emergency department (ED) visits for deliberate self-harm. METHODS:This retrospective cohort analysis examined 2015 Medicare claims for adults ≥65 years of age with ED visits for deliberate self-harm (N = 16 495). We estimated adjusted risk ratios (ARR) for discharge disposition, ED coding of mental disorder, and 30-day follow-up mental health outpatient care. RESULTS:Most patients (76.9%) were hospitalized with lower likelihoods observed for African American patients (ARR = 0.86, 99% CI = 0.79-0.94) and patients with either one medical comorbidity (ARR = 0.91, 99% CI = 0.83-0.99) or two to three comorbidities (ARR = 0.93, 99% CI = 0.88-0.99). Hospitalization was associated with recent depression (ARR = 1.09, 99% CI

SUBMITTER: Schmutte T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6579649 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature