Biochemia Medica, Vol. 17 No. 2, 2007.
Original scientific paper
Serum cholesterol concentration in psychiatric patients
Nedjeljka Ruljančić
Ana Malić
Mate Mihanović
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between low total serum cholesterol and suicidal behavior. The aim of the present study was to determine the possible variation in serum cholesterol concentration among patients with different psychiatric disorders.
Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 677 psychiatric patients grouped according to ICD-10 diagnoses (F10, F20, F23, F25, F32, F43, F60, X61 and X70). Fasting total cholesterol concentration was determined by a standard method on the second day of admission to Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Hospital for treatment. The study was conducted from January 1,2005 till April 1,2005.
Results: Serum cholesterol concentration was statistically significantly lower in nonviolent suicide attempters than in those without suicidal attempts but suffering from schizophrenia (P = 0.039), schizoaffective disorder (P = 0.019), depressive disorder (P = 0.002), stress reaction (acute and posttraumatic) (P = 0.019) and personality disorder (P = 0.011). There was no statistically significant difference in cholesterol concentration between patients with dependence syndrome (P = 0.100) or psychotic disorder (P = 0.179) and nonviolent suicide attempters.
Conclusion: Serum cholesterol concentration varies among psychiatric patients with different diagnoses, and is significantly lower in patients with nonviolent suicidal attempts as compared with patients suffering from schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, stress reaction and personality disorder. Study results confirmed the hypothesis on the association of low total cholesterol and suicidal behavior in psychiatric patients.
Keywords
serum cholesterol; sucide; risk factors
Hrčak ID:
18135
URI
Publication date:
28.11.2007.
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