Περίληψη:
Background: Low plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels have been found in
subjects after a suicide attempt in most studies. Other studies question
these results because of possible influences on TC of somatic effects
due to the attempt (drugs, somatic trauma, hospitalization), or
nutritional habits and physical activity before attempt, especially in
patients with depression.
Methods: To address this issue, TC levels were estimated in 51 subjects
on admission to psychiatric clinic after a suicide attempt, as well as
later in follow-up when patients were back in their normal activities.
Patients were evaluated for suicide intent (SIS), aggression, and
severity of depression (BDI).
Results: A small (7% in the mean) but statistically significant
increase in plasma cholesterol levels was observed in samples taken in
follow-up compared to samples after attempt. However, TC levels of
patients were significantly lower than controls in both assessments.
There were no differences in TC between violent and non-violent
attempters, either after attempt or in follow-up. In the subgroup of
patients with major affective disorder, TC levels were lower compared to
age-matched controls in both assessments, although patients showed
significant reductions in BDI score in follow-up. In this subgroup, TC
levels after attempt correlated negatively to SIS score.
Conclusions: TC levels in psychiatric patients after a suicide attempt
are lower than healthy controls and remain low in follow-up,
independently from the severity of psychopathology. The results support
the role of plasma total cholesterol as a biological risk factor in
suicidal behavior, especially in affective patients. (c) 2012 Elsevier
B.V. All rights reserved.
Συγγραφείς:
Papadopoulou, Athanassia
Markianos, Manolis
Christodoulou,
Christos
Lykouras, Lefteris
