High cholesterol, triglycerides, and body-mass index in suicide attempters

Arch Suicide Res. 2006;10(1):1-9. doi: 10.1080/13811110500318083.

Abstract

Low cholesterol concentrations and cholesterol-lowering therapies have been suggested to be associated with increased suicidality. This article examined the association of cholesterol, triglycerides, and body-mass index (BMI) with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Findings are based on a nationally representative community sample of n = 4,181 subjects (18-65 years) examined with a standardized diagnostic interview (CIDI) for (DSM-IV) mental disorders. Controlling for age and gender the study revealed a moderate positive association between cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI, and suicide attempts in subjects with depressive symptoms during the past 12 months (n = 1,205). The results of this study are compatible with two recent epidemiological cohort studies showing a positive association between cholesterol and completed suicide.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Depressive Disorder / blood
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data*
  • Triglycerides / blood*

Substances

  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol