Intentional Foreign Body Ingestion by Inmates: Demographics, Trends, and Motivations

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among inmates who have intentionally ingested foreign bodies. Methods: A retrospective chart review was done on all inmates seen at Valleywise Health Medical Center for intentional foreign body ingestion between January 2010 and January 2014. Data obtained from these encounters included several variables on patient demographics, psychiatric history, and ingestion history. Analysis of these variables was performedthrough comparison of percentages. Results: 89% of patients had psychiatric diagnoses coded in their medical records with 78% having more than 1 diagnosis. In terms of motivation, 40.7% subjects attributed their ingestion to negative affect, while 22.2% did so as a suicide attempt. Only 3/27 patients (11.1%) claimed secondary gain as their reason for ingestion. Only 4/16 (25%) repeat ingesters received special behavioral plans during their inpatient stay. Conclusions: Psychiatric co-morbidity iscommon among inmates who ingest foreign bodies and may play a larger role in their motivations than previously recognized .