An Ounce of Prevention is the Only Cure: Nationwide Clinical and Financial Outcomes of Self-Inflicted Firearm Injuries

Abstract

Background: Self-inflicted gunshot wounds (SIGSWs) remain a leading, preventable cause of death in the United States. The present study evaluated patient demographics, operative characteristics, in-hospital outcomes, and resource utilization between patients with SIGSW and other GSW. Methods: The 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample was queried for patients ≥16 years old admitted following gunshot wounds. Patients were categorized as SIGSW if they were injured through self-harm. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of SIGSW on outcomes. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality with complications, costs, and length of stay secondarily considered. Results: Of an estimated 157,795 surviving to hospital admission, 14,670 (9.30%) were SIGSW. Self-inflicted gunshot wounds were more commonly female (18.1 vs 11.3%), insured by Medicare (21.1 vs 5.0%), and white (70.8 vs 22.3%) (all P