Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and suicidal behaviour in a large sample of first-episode psychosis patients

Abstract

Objectives: Our aims were to confirm the relationship between lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and suicidal behaviour in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.

Methods: Suicidal behaviour was explored in a large FEP sample (N = 383). Baseline lipid profile was compared between those who attempted or completed suicide and those who not presented suicidal behaviour.

Results: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (OR = 0.99, 95% CI= 0.98–1.00) and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06–1.24) were significantly related with suicidal behaviour.

Conclusions: Lipid profile test may be considered in the assessment of suicide risk in psychosis and LDL-c an important biological marker.

Keywords:

• Cholesterol
• first-episode psychosis
• lipoproteins
• schizophrenia
• suicide

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank all PAFIP research team and all patients and family members who participated in the study.

Statement of interest

None to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI14/00639 and PI14/00918) and Fundación Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (NCT0235832 and NCT02534363). No pharmaceutical company has financially supported the study.