Increased self-immolation frequency and severity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Burn injury epidemiology
• Psychiatric impact of pandemics

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented global stressors, including restrictions and isolation.
• Self-immolation represents a severe form of self-harm with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Previous research indicates a link between societal stressors and self-harm behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of COVID-19 related stressors on self-immolation burn injuries.
• To compare the incidence and severity of self-inflicted burns in 2020 versus the preceding five years.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected burn injury database.
• Inclusion of all adult patients with self-inflicted burn injuries in New South Wales from January 2015 to December 2020.
• Comparison of burn characteristics, demographic data, and outcomes between 2020 and the 2015-2019 period.

Main Results:

• An increase in self-immolation episodes was observed in 2020 (18 cases) compared to the annual average of 10 cases in prior years.
• Burn size significantly increased in 2020 (43% total body surface area) compared to the previous average (28%).
• Revised Baux scores also increased significantly (92 in 2020 vs. 77 previously), indicating greater burn severity and poorer prognosis.

Conclusions:

• The year 2020 demonstrated a notable increase in both the frequency and severity of self-inflicted burn injuries in New South Wales.
• Pre-existing psychiatric illness was a common comorbidity, with family conflict and acute psychiatric episodes identified as primary triggers.
• The findings highlight the potential impact of pandemic-related stressors on vulnerable populations and the exacerbation of self-harm behaviors.