Abstract
Evidence supports the existence of an association between dyslipidemia, psychiatric disorders, and suicide risk due to the effects of altered lipid profiles on serotoninergic neuron membranes. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in c-reactive protein (CRP), thyroid functioning, total cholesterol, high lipoprotein density cholesterol (HDL-c), low-lipoprotein density cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglycerides (TG) serum levels in low lethality (LLSA) vs. high lethality suicide attempters (HLSA) within 24 h from the suicide attempt and inpatients who never attempted suicide (NAS). After attempting suicide, subjects were admitted to the emergency ward of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and later to the section of Psychiatry from 1st August 2013 to 31st July 2018. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, serum lipids profile, CRP, and thyroid functioning were collected. The sample consisted of 133 individuals with a HLSA, 299 subjects with LLSA, and 200 patients NAS. HLSA subjects were more likely to be males and diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder. Furthermore, HLSA subgroup showed significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL-c levels and higher CRP serum levels compared to LLSA and control group, respectively. LLSA subgroup showed higher HDL-c levels compared to HLSA subgroup (no differences between HLSA and control group were observed). Additionally, the control group reported higher triglycerides levels compared to patients admitted to psychiatric ward for a suicide attempt. Only male gender, having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, lower total cholesterol, and higher CRP serum levels predicted HLSA. Investigating the relation between dyslipidemia and the severity of suicide attempts may contribute to reveal the complex determinants underlying at-risk behaviors such as suicide, thus playing a relevant role in the possible prevention of this disabling phenomenon.
Highlights
Suicide and non-fatal suicidal behaviors are major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide
In this study we investigated the differences in C-reactive protein (CRP), thyroid functioning, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and TG serum levels between low-lethality (LLSA) vs. high-lethality suicide attempts (HLSA) within 24 h from the suicide attempt and inpatients who never attempted suicide (NAS)
Regarding patients admitted for a suicide attempt, 133 individuals (30.8%) committed a high lethality suicide attempters (HLSA) while 299 subjects (69.2%) carried out a LLSA, respectively
Summary
Suicide and non-fatal suicidal behaviors are major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The World Health Organization [1] estimated that ∼800,000 people die from suicide each year and a number from 10 to 20 times higher of individuals attempt suicide, indicating that both suicide and non-fatal suicidal behaviors need to be addressed as a real health priority. Metabolic Parameters and Suicide of suicidal behaviors within and between countries has been attributed to both population and individual risk factors, including economic status and cultural differences [2] that may significantly affect suicide risk. Different explanatory models were developed in order to reveal the complex interplay between neurobiological factors such as genetic risk variables, altered serotonergic functioning, and stress responses potentially leading to suicidal behaviors [3, 4]. Two major dietary lipid classes, cholesterol, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), were significantly associated with higher suicide risk [5, 6]. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified a region on 2p25 that influences risk for attempting suicide and contains the ACP1 gene [11, 12] and polymorphisms in ACP1 which were found to modulate both protection and predisposition to dyslipidemia [13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
