| Mental and Behavioral Disorders, Comorbidity, and Self-Harm: Results From Korea National Hospital Discharge In-Depth Injury Survey |
Mi Jung Rho1 
, Young-Joo Won2
, Hyun-Sook Lim3
, Yoo-Kyung Boo4
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1College of Health Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
2Division of Health Administration, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea
3Department of Healthcare Administration, Hanyang Women’s University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
4Department of Health Administration, College of Health Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea |
Correspondence: Yoo-Kyung Boo ,Tel: +82-41-550-1473, Fax: +82-41-559-7934, Email: dkykb0926@dankook.ac.kr
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Received: October 2, 2024 Revised: January 24, 2025 Accepted: February 24, 2025 Published online: April 11, 2025
*Mi Jung Rho and Young-Joo Won contributed equally to this study as co-first authors. |
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| Abstract |
Objective
Suicide is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including mental illness, economic, and cultural elements. Mental and behavioral disorders are significant contributors to suicide risk, and individuals who attempt self-harm often present with comorbidities. This study aims to identify the significance of characteristics and comorbidities among hospitalized patients who engaged in self-harm and have been diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders.
Methods
We targeted patients aged 19 or older who attempted self-harm and were hospitalized from the 2022 Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey covering the period from 2008 to 2021. After applying sampling weights, the estimated total sample size was 10,140. The analysis was conducted using a general linear model for complex samples, incorporating analysis of variance and regression analyses. Additionally, network analysis was used to explore relationships among comorbidities.
Results
The incidence of self-harm varied seasonally, peaking in spring, with higher rates observed in winter. Hospitalization duration was significantly longer when surgical interventions were required or when comorbidities were present. The average length of hospitalization was 20.52 days, but patients with alcohol-related addictions had a significantly longer stay (71.57 days). For each additional comorbidity, the hospitalization duration increased by 1.889 days. About 46.78% of patients had one or more comorbidities, with strong associations between mental disorders (F00–F99) and cases of poisoning or external injuries (S00–T98).
Conclusion
This study underscores the importance of managing comorbidities in patients with mental illness to reduce the clinical and social costs of self-harm. |
| Key words
Attempted self-harm; Self-harm; Mental and behavioral disorders; Comorbidity; Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey; Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency |
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