Change of immunoglobulins and complement factors in patients with self-injurious behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
As stress activates the inflammatory response system, and attempted suicide is connected with severe stress, we hypothesized that patients hospitalized for self-injurious behaviour have changed immunocompetence.


METHODS
The concentration of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM, and the complement components C3 and C4 in 73 patients hospitalized for self-injurious behaviour was compared with those of 122 healthy controls. The immunoglobulins and complement were quantified by nephelometric technique.


RESULTS
The levels of IgG and IgM were significantly lower, and the complement C3 and C4 were significantly higher in self-injurious patients compared with controls. This was valid in both genders and the effects did not interact with gender.


CONCLUSIONS
This controlled study showed that the concentrations of immunoglobulins were reduced and complement components were increased in patients who are admitted to hospital for self-injurious behaviour.
Moe
T J
TJ
Department of Psychiatry, Haukeland Hospital, University of Bergen, Norway. tor.jacob.moe@haukeland.no
Mykletun
A
A
Matre
R
R
Skovlund
E
E
Bassøe
C-F
CF
Dahl
A A
AA
D000328:Adult; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000276:immunology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D007136:Immunoglobulins