1M. Sc. Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Kufa, Iraq
2Ph. D. Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Iraq
3Ph. D. Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Nursing, University of Kufa, Iraq
We tested whether C-reactive protein and lipid profile might be associated with suicide attempts in subjects with major depressive disorder, after controlling for relevant individual characteristics.
Plasma levels of C-reactive protein and lipid profile; as well as Total Cholesterol (TC), and Triglyceride (TG), were determined in 60 patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for Major depression (22 suicidal attempters and 38 patients without suicidal behavior), and 30 healthy controls. Study participants were evaluated using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck's Suicidal Ideation Scale.
At univariate analyses, plasma level of C-reactive protein was significantly higher in suicide attempters (SA) than non-suicidal attempter depressed patients (NSA) and healthy control (p<0.05), while the plasma level of TC among SA were significantly lower than those NSA or healthy control subjects (p<0.05). Also, TG level was significantly higher in both SA and NSA (p=0.009 and p<0.001 respectively) compared with healthy control. After adjustment of potential confounders, suicide attempters were still had significantly lower levels for TC than NSA.
Our findings support the hypothesis that CRP, and TG are associated with suicide attempts in patients with major depressive disorder. The identification of valid and accessible biological markers of suicidal behaviors still represents a challenge for future research.
Depression, Suicide, CRP, Lipid
