Low serum cholesterol and triglycerides and risk of death from suicide

Several studies suggest that a low or reduced blood cholesterol concentration is associated with a higher risk of mortality from suicide. The authors sought to determine whether a low cholesterol and triglyceride level is related to a higher rate of suicide attempts, alcohol or drug intoxication. A total of 216 patients, aged 15-93 years, admitted to a toxicological intensive care unit were assessed by blood cholesterol, triglycerides, psychiatric disease and former suicide attempts. Serum cholesterol levels, obtained from the admission biochemical values, were divided into levels below and above 160 mg/dl, serum triglyceride levels were divided into levels below and above 100 mg/dl. Compared to patients with cholesterol levels higher than 160 mg/dl and controls without suicide attempts, men with cholesterol levels equal or lower than 160 mg/dl had made no more suicide attempts. However, in the group with low cholesterol and attempted suicide a significant decrease of serum triglyceride levels was investigated. A significant correlation between low serum cholesterol with respect to triglycerides and alcohol or drug intoxication could not be proved. There was no association between low cholesterol levels and attempted suicide with respect to alcohol or drug intoxication. The significantly lowered serum triglycerides in the patient group with a low cholesterol and suicide attempt require further investigations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.