Association of low serum total cholesterol with major depression and suicide

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that low serum total cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of suicide. AIMS: To study the association between serum total cholesterol, depression and suicide using versatile, prospective data. METHOD: A total of 29,133 men aged 50-69 years were followed up for 5-8 years. Baseline blood samples were analysed for serum total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Self-reported depression was recorded, data on hospital treatments due to depressive disorders were derived from the National Hospital Discharge Register and deaths from suicide were identified from death certificates. RESULTS: Low serum total cholesterol was associated with low mood and subsequently a heightened risk of hospital treatment due to major depressive disorder and of death from suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that low serum total cholesterol appears to be associated with low mood and thus to predict its serious consequences.