Is Low Cholesterol a Suicide Risk?

A South Korean study has uncovered evidence that depressed patients with low cholesterol levels are more apt to commit suicide. Although the issue remains controversial, low levels of cholesterol in patients with depression have previously been tied to suicide and violence.

In the newest study, the researchers looked at 549 participants. They compared the cholesterol levels in 149 patients with major depression who were admitted to the emergency room following suicide attempts with those of 149 patients who also were depressed but did not attempt suicide. In addition, the study included 251 healthy participants. The results showed that depressed patients with total blood cholesterol levels of <160 mg/dL seemed at greater risk.