Self-harm surveillance: an analysis of ICD-10-CM code R45.88, non-suicidal self-harm, with no co-occurring injury...

Uniform guidance has not been established regarding the inclusion of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code R45.88 (non-suicidal self-harm), with or without the presence of an injury code, as a self-harm case. This study explores the differences between discharge patients identified with self-harm and co-occurring injury, and those identified with self-harm and no co-occurring injury. Analyses were conducted using Wisconsin and Oregon discharge records from 2022 to 2023.

Two mutually exclusive groups were created based on ICD-10-CM codes: Group A) patients with a self-harm injury code, or R45.88 with another injury diagnosis or e-code and, Group B) patients with R45.88 and no other injury code. Hospital and emergency department (ED) patients were analysed separately by jurisdiction. Univariate analyses were conducted, and logistic regression models were run separately for each patient type. The models analysed differences between patients in Groups A and B.

For both jurisdictions and patient type, Group B was significantly younger: mean of 14 and 5 years younger among Wisconsin and Oregon hospital patients and 5 and 3 years younger among Wisconsin and Oregon ED patients, respectively. Age remained significant in the models for both types of patients in both jurisdictions. Comorbidities, such as suicidal ideation and mental health disorders, and some demographics, were significantly different between groups, and this varied by jurisdiction.

Surveillance of self-harm that incorporates all instances of R45.88 is more inclusive of all self-harm behaviours, whether resulting in injury or not. This will support a more accurate representation of self-harm burden, and the populations impacted.