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Non-fatal self-injury after a diagnosis of cancer: A population-based study

Authors :
Elie Isenberg-Grzeda
Alyson L. Mahar
James M. Bolton
Simone N. Vigod
Stephanie A. Mason
Julie Hallet
Wing Chan
Barbara Haas
Antoine Eskander
Natalie G. Coburn
Victoria Zuk
Rinku Sutradhar
Christopher W. Noel
Julie M. Deleemans
Source :
Journal of Clinical Oncology. 39:e18577-e18577
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2021.

Abstract

e18577 Background: Psychological distress is a key construct of patient-centred cancer care. While an increased risk of suicide for cancer patients has been reported, more frequent consequences of distress after a cancer diagnosis, such as non-fatal self-injury (NFSI), remain largely unknown. We examined the risk for NFSI after a cancer diagnosis. Methods: Using linked administrative databases we identified adults diagnosed with cancer between 2007-2019. Cumulative incidence of NFSI, defined as emergency department presentation of self-injury, was computed accounting for the competing-risk of death from all causes. Factors associated with NFSI were assessed using multivariable Fine and Gray models. Results: Of 806,910 included patients, 2,482 had NFSI and 182 died by suicide. 5-year cumulative incidence of NFSI was 0.27% [95%CI 0.25-0.28%]. After adjusting for key confounders, prior severe psychiatric illness whether requiring inpatient care (sub-distribution hazard ratio (sHR) 12.6, [95% CI 10.5-15.2]) or outpatient care (sHR 7.5, 95% CI 6.48-8.84), and prior self-injury (sHR 6.6 [95% CI 5.5-8.0]) were associated with increased risk of NFSI. Young adults (age 18-39) had the highest NFSI rates, relative to individuals >70 (sHR 5.4, [95% CI 4.5-6.5]). The magnitude of association between prior severe psychiatric illness and NFSI was greatest for young adults (interaction term p < 0.01). Certain cancer subsites were also at increased risk, including head and neck (sHR1.52, [95%CI 1.19-1.93]). Conclusions: Patients with cancer have higher incidence of NFSI than suicide after diagnosis. Younger age, prior severe psychiatric illness, and prior self-injury were independently associated with NFSI. These exposures act synergistically, placing young adults with a prior mental health history at greatest risk for NFSI events. Those factors should be used to identify at-risk patients for psycho-social assessment and intervention.

Details

ISSN :
15277755 and 0732183X
Volume :
39
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........f74b17df8fea495550e9f3ee66d7fd83
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e18577