Original article

Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research 2006;9(1):15-20.

정신분열병 환자에서 자살시도, 우울증상 및 혈장 콜레스테롤 농도와의 관련성

Bun-Hee Lee, MD and Yong-Ku Kim, MD

Abstract

Objectives:Total cholesterol level in blood is reported to be associated with suicidality and depression. We explored the association among low plasma cholesterol level, attempted suicide and the severity of depressive symptoms in schizophrenic patients.
Methods:We measured the total plasma cholesterol levels in 29 schizophrenic patients admitted to an emergency room following a suicide attempt, in 145 non-suicidal schizophrenic controls, and in 160 normal controls. The severity of schizophrenic symptoms and depression was measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Korean version of the Calgary depression scale for schizophrenia (K-CDSS). The lethality of the suicide attempt was measured using the Lethality of Suicide Attempt Rating Scale (LSARS) and Risk-Rescue Rating (RRR).
Results:The mean cholesterol level of the suicidal patients with schizophrenia was significantly lower than that of non-suicidal schizophrenic patients and normal controls (p=0.029). PANSS scores had no significant differences between suicidal and nonsuicidal schizophrenic patients (p=0.441), but K-CDSS scores of suicidal patients were significantly higher than those of nonsuicidal patients (p=0.003).
Conclusion:The results suggest that low serum total cholesterol level and depression is associated with suicide attempt in schizophrenic patients. (Korean J Schizophr Res 2006;9:15-20)

Key Words: Schizophrenia,Suicide,CDSS,Cholesterol