INTRODUCTIONDeliberate self-harm (DSH) is frequently seen in adolescents with a range of mental health problems. The prevalence and features of DSH vary among different countries and settings. This study examines the prevalence of self-harm in a sample of adolescents seen at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Singapore.

METHODSInformation regarding self-harm, as well as its associated demographic and clinical risk factors, was extracted from the clinical records of 542 consecutive, new patients, aged 12-19 years, who presented between 2006 and 2010.

RESULTSDSH was reported in 23.6% of patients, and was positively associated with the female gender (odds ratio [OR] 4.54), mood disorders (OR 4.58), adjustment disorders (OR 3.41) and regular alcohol use (OR 4.80). However, there was no association with parental marital status, anxiety disorder, habitual smoking or family history of psychiatric illness.

CONCLUSIONDSH is a significant clinical problem that may be influenced by biological and clinical factors. Adolescents presenting with DSH should be examined for mood and alcohol use disorders.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Health ; Odds Ratio ; Outpatients ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Self-Injurious Behavior ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Humans ; Intimate Partner Violence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

COVID-19 ; Critical Care ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND: The combination of polycaprolactone and hyaluronic acid creates an ideal environment for wound healing. Hyaluronic acid maintains a moist wound environment and accelerates the in-growth of granulation tissue. Polycaprolactone has excellent mechanical strength, limits inflammation and is biocompatible. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of bio-conjugated polycaprolactone membranes (BPM) as a wound dressing. METHODS: 16 New Zealand white rabbits were sedated and local anaesthesia was administered. Two 3.0x3.0 cm full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum of each rabbit, between the lowest rib and the pelvic bone. The wounds were dressed with either BPM (n=12) or Mepitel (n=12) (control), a polyamide-silicon wound dressing. These were evaluated macroscopically on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days for granulation, re-epithelialization, infection, and wound size, and histologically for epidermal and dermal regeneration. RESULTS: Both groups showed a comparable extent of granulation and re-epithelialization. No signs of infection were observed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in wound size between the two groups. BPM (n=6): 8.33 cm2, 4.90 cm2, 3.12 cm2, 1.84 cm2; Mepitel (n=6): 10.29 cm2, 5.53 cm2, 3.63 cm2, 2.02 cm2; at the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days. The extents of epidermal and dermal regeneration were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: BPM is comparable to Mepitel as a safe and efficacious wound dressing.
Bandages* ; Granulation Tissue ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Inflammation ; Membranes* ; Pelvic Bones ; Rabbits ; Re-Epithelialization ; Regeneration ; Ribs ; Skin ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*