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Serum Cholesterol Levels and Suicide: A Meta‐Analysis
Author(s) -
Lester David
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1521/suli.32.3.333.22177
Subject(s) - meta analysis , cholesterol , medicine , suicide prevention , poison control , suicide risk , suicide methods , psychology , medical emergency , suicide rates
A meta‐analysis was performed on studies exploring the link between low levels of serum cholesterol and increased risk of suicide. Follow‐up studies found that those with lower cholesterol levels do have a tiny but statistically significant increased risk of completing suicide. Individuals who have attempted suicide in the past have lower cholesterol levels, especially if they used violent methods for suicide. Cholesterol lowering studies, however, did not lead to a significant increase in completed suicide.