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Study Links Low Cholesterol to Suicide
STUDY: When is low too low
JOURNAL: European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
AUTHORS: Dr Y. Kim
ABSTRACT: A new study has found evidence that depressed patients with low cholesterol levels may be more likely to commit suicide.
COMMENTARY: Low levels of cholesterol in patients suffering from depression have previously been linked to suicide and violence.
The team compared cholesterol levels in 149 patients with major depression who were admitted to an emergency room after suicide attempts with those of 149 patients who were also depressed but who did not attempt suicide. There were also 251 healthy controls in the study.
Dr Y. Kim told the Prague meeting that depressed patients with blood cholesterol levels of less than 160 milligrams per deciliter appeared to be at increased risk.