Mortality and avoidable death in people with severe self-injurious behaviour: results of a Dutch study

Mortality and avoidable death was studied in a cohort of 1168 people with severe self-injurious behaviour (SIB) in the Netherlands. Fifty-seven people died over a 5-year period (1990-1995). The observed mortality in the cohort studied was higher than the expected mortality. The age-specific mortality was highest in the 30-39-year-old age-group. Diseases of the respiratory system were found to be the most prevalent cause of death, followed by diseases of the nervous system and sensory organs. In six people (12%), the general practitioner and staff member considered SIB to be related to death. The causes of death were thought to be avoidable in two cases. The results are discussed in terms of data collection and avoidability of death.