Evaluation of leptin levels in serum as a biomarker for suicide behavior: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies to determine whether leptin levels in serum contribute to the pathogenesis of suicide behavior.

Methods: PubMed, EBSCO and Science Direct databases were used to search for relevant articles published before January 2020. The systematic review included nine case-control studies that measured leptin levels. The standardized mean difference (d) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated in a fixed-effects model and a random-effects model when appropriate.

Results: The results of our meta-analysis indicated that individuals with suicide behavior presented reduced levels of leptin (d: −1.80, 95% CI: −2.21 to −01.38 ng/ml, I² = 0, p(Q) = 0.59). Sensitivity and publication bias analyses confirmed these results.

Conclusions: The current meta-analysis suggests that leptin levels might be associated with an increased risk of suicide behavior. However, more studies including larger sample sizes are needed to reach conclusive result.

Keywords:

• Leptin
• suicide
• meta-analysis

Disclosure statement

The authors declare to have no personal interests.