Autolesiones sin intención suicida en una muestra de niños y adolescentes de la ciudad de México / Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in a Community Sample of Older Children and Adolescents of Mexico City

Introducción: En México como en otros países los estudios no distinguen entre los intentos de suicidio (IS) delas autolesiones con (A+) y sin intención de suicidio (A-). El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las autolesiones y su prevalencia a partir de varias definiciones, además de estudiar la frecuencia de los criterios propuestos del DSM-5 para las autolesiones sin intención suicida en adolescentes de ambos sexos. Metodología: El estudio fue observacional, descriptivo, transversal, comparativo a partir de una muestra no probabilística de adolescentes de ambos sexos de escuelas secundarias oficiales que contestaron la cédula de autolesiones. Resultados: Los participantes fueron 533 adolescentes con una edad (M=13.37, DE 0.95) y un rango de 11 a 17años, 54% del sexo femenino. La prevalencia de (A-) definida con los criterios de autolesiones propuestos para el DSM-5 fue del 5.6% (N=30), con una definición amplia a partir de sólo el ítem 51(¿Te lastimas sin la intención de quitarte la vida?) fue del 17.1% (N=140), en el último mes (1-3 eventos) fue del 9.9% (N=53), en los últimos 6 meses (1-3 eventos) fue del 11.6% (N=62) y en el último año (5 eventos) fue del 12.6 % (N=67). La edad de inicio fue de 11.9 ± 1.39, (rango 6-15 años). La mayoría de los criterios del DSM-5 tuvieron mayor frecuencia en las niñas que los niños. Conclusiones: Las autolesiones con y sin intención de suicidio son muy frecuentes en la comunidad. Se discuten aspectos importantes para la toma de decisiones en el ámbito escolar y médico

Introduction: In Mexico, as in other countries, studies do not distinguish between attempted suicide and suicidal and non suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The aim of this study was to investigate self-injury and its prevalence using several definitions, in addition to studying the frequency of the proposed DSM-5 criteria for NSSI in adolescent girls and boys. Methodology: The study was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative using a nonrandomized sample of adolescent girls and boys from official high schools who completed the self-injury questionnaire. Results: The participants were 533 older children and adolescents with a mean (SD) age of 13.37 (0.95) years, age range 11 to 17 years, and 54% female sex distribution. The prevalence of NSSI defined according to proposed DSM-5 criteria was 5.6% (N=30) and, according to a broad definition using only item 51 ("Do you hurt yourself without intending to end your life?"), 17.1% (N=140). Prevalence defined by the number of events in the last month (1-3 events) was 9.9% (N=53), in the last 6 months (1-3 events), 11.6% (N=62), and in the last year (5 events), 12.6% (N=67).The age at onset was 11.9 (1.39) years (range 6-15 years).Most DSM-5 criteria were more frequent in girls than boys. Conclusions: Suicidal and non suicidal self-injury are frequent in the community. Important points for decision making in schools and medical practice are discussed

Nonsuicidal self-injury in a community sample of older children and adolescents of Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, as in other countries, studies do not distinguish between attempted suicide and suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The aim of this study was to investigate self-injury and its prevalence using several definitions, in addition to studying the frequency of the proposed DSM-5 criteria for NSSI in adolescent girls and boys. METHODOLOGY: The study was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative using a nonrandomized sample of adolescent girls and boys from official high schools who completed the self-injury questionnaire. RESULTS: The participants were 533 older children and adolescents with a mean (SD) age of 13.37 (0.95) years, age range 11 to 17 years, and 54% female sex distribution. The prevalence of NSSI defined according to proposed DSM-5 criteria was 5.6% (N=30) and, according to a broad definition using only item 51 ("Do you hurt yourself without intending to end your life?"), 17.1% (N=140). Prevalence defined by the number of events in the last month (1-3 events) was 9.9% (N=53), in the last 6 months (1-3 events), 11.6% (N=62), and in the last year (5 events), 12.6% (N=67). The age at onset was 11.9 (1.39) years (range 6-15 years). Most DSM-5 criteria were more frequent in girls than boys. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury are frequent in the community. Important points for decision-making in schools and medical practice are discussed.