Total cholesterol and suicidality in depression.
There exists considerable controversy regarding an association between low total cholesterol and increased mortality from suicide. As suicide mortality is a crude marker for suicidal ideation and behavior, we investigated the association between total cholesterol and suicidality in a depressed sample. Ninety men and women meeting structured criteria for a major depressive episode of at least moderate severity participated in a study of predictors of treatment response. A three level variable codified the degree of suicidality in the previous month: no suicidal thoughts (39/90), suicidal ideation or plan (38/90), and a suicide attempt (13/90). There was a significant univariate association between lower cholesterol levels and increasing degrees of suicidality. In a multivariate analysis, this association was the only one that neared statistical significance (p = 0.068). Although it is premature to conclude that these variables are causally associated, data from a number of sources suggest that this association is worthy of further study.
Sullivan
P F
PF
University Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Joyce
P R
PR
Bulik
C M
CM
Mulder
R T
RT
Oakley-Browne
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D002784:Cholesterol