Pharmacopsychiatry 2003; 36 - 32
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-825283

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

J Brunner 1, T Bronisch 1, H Pfister 1, F Jacobi 2, HU Wittchen 1, 2
  • 1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
  • 2Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Germany

Based on earlier studies, it was speculated that naturally occurring low cholesterol concentrations or cholesterol-lowering therapies may be associated with an increased risk of suicide (review: 1). The association of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation with major depressive disorder (MDD) was studied in a representative sample of 4181 subjects in the community (German National Health Interview and Examination Survey). In subjects meeting the DSM-IV criteria for MDD in the past 12 months (n=347), the association of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and body-mass index (BMI) was investigated. Suicide attempts and suicidal ideation were significantly more frequent in subjects with MDD in the past 12 months. In those subjects, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and BMI showed a positive association with suicide attempts. These findings are consistent with two recent epidemiological studies showing a positive association between cholesterol and completed suicide.

1. Brunner, J. et al. Pharmacopsychiatry 35 (2002) 1–5.