Disordered eating amongst people who self-harm: An analysis of correlates and outcomes using the Manchester Self-Harm...

Self-harm is common in people who experience disordered eating. It is unclear whether those who self-harm with disordered eating have distinct characteristics and needs compared to those who self-harm without co-occurring disordered eating.

Data were obtained from the Manchester Self-Harm Project. Information was extracted for people who were seen by psychiatric clinicians following an emergency department presentation for self-harm, between 2011 and 2017. Mortality follow-up was available until 2019. A total of 312 cases, where evidence of disordered eating was identified, were matched 1:5 (on age, gender and date of presentation) with 1560 controls.

Being a student (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-3.2), living in affluent areas (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.1-1.2), work/study problems (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.9), physical health problems (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.5-2.8) and previous psychiatric support (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.6-3.0) were associated with higher odds of a co-occurring disordered eating alongside self-harm. No differences were observed in self-harm repetition.

People who self-harm with evidence of disordered eating have differences in perceived problems, previous psychiatric support and demographic differences (e.g. student status and affluence) compared to controls. This group has distinct clinical needs and may benefit from targeted interventions.