The study of the relationship between cholesterol and lipid concentration and suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia affective illness

In 143 patients (63 male, 80 female), admitted to the Department of Adult Psychiatry, University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, throughout the period from 1 October 95-31 March 96, with the diagnosis of schizophrenia (46 patients), endogenous depression (79 patients) or mania (18 patients), serum concentration of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids was estimated during the first days of admission. The occurrence of suicidal behaviors (thoughts, tendencies or acts) in these patients during the period of 3 months preceding the admission was also determined. The occurrence of suicidal behavior was found in 74 patients (30 male, 44 female). The persons revealing suicidal behaviors had significantly lower concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids compared with patients without such behaviors. This relationship was observed in all diagnostic groups as well as in both younger (below 32 years) and older (over 40 years) groups of patients. The results obtained confirm previous reports on the association between low cholesterol concentration and an increased risk of suicidal behavior in patients with psychiatric disorders. Authors discuss possible mechanisms and also clinical implications of this finding.