• Tom Rollo Dalton, Duleeka Knipe, Gene Feder, Salena Williams, David Gunnell, and Paul Moran.
• University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
• Emerg Med J. 2019 Jul 1; 36 (7): 407-409.

BackgroundPrevious research suggests that there is an association between domestic violence (DV) and self-harm (SH). Yet, the prevalence and clinical significance of DV among individuals presenting acutely to hospital with SH in the UK is unknown.ObjectiveTo measure the prevalence and correlates of DV among patients presenting to hospital with SH.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using registry data in order to describe the prevalence of DV within a UK population of people presenting to the emergency department (ED) with SH (n=1142).Results11.1% (95% CI 9.4% to 13.1%) of the sample reported DV. Those reporting DV were more likely to be female and separated from a partner. DV was associated with self-poisoning and with previous occurrence of SH.ConclusionOur findings suggest that DV victimisation is more prevalent among those presenting to ED with self-harm than among the general population of ED attenders, and that the presence of DV may signify increased risk among those presenting to ED with SH.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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