Self-harm on a specialist adult eating disorder unit: a retrospective cohort study of patient characteristics and outcomes
Abstract
Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is common but rarely studied among inpatients with eating disorders.
We sought to investigate the frequency of DSH among inpatients in a specialist adult eating disorders unit, and the association of DSH with comorbidities and treatment outcomes.
We also investigated changes in these parameters during the pandemic.
Self-harm during admission was seen in 29% of patients and was associated with the presence of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses.
The frequency of DSH much reduced between admission and discharge, suggesting a beneficial effect of treatment.
Medical transfer for DSH, considered as a proxy measure for severity, predicted poorer outcomes in weight restoration.
We also noted an increase in rates of DSH during the pandemic, which may have resulted from a combination of increased psychosocial stressors and a reduction in admission capacity in eating disorder units.
Citations
Leah Holm-Mercer, Douglas Kohler and Agnes Ayton. Self-harm on a specialist adult eating disorder unit: a retrospective cohort study of patient characteristics and outcomes. BJPsych Open; London Vol. 7, Iss. S1, (Jun 2021)
Page last reviewed: 12 June, 2025
Metadata
Author(s): Ayton, Agnes; Holm-Mercer, Leah; Kohler, Douglas
Collection: 123456789/32
Subject(s): COVID-19, Eating Disorders, Self Harm
Format(s): Article
Date issued: 2021-06
ID: 878