Association and interaction between overweight/obesity and suicide attempts in young first-episode and drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract

Aims: This research's objective was to explore the correlation of overweight/obesity and suicide attempts in young patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and the related factors of suicide attempts in patients with/without overweight/obesity. Methods: This study included 520 young patients with MDD who were first-episode and drug-naïve (FEDN), with an average age of 20.50 ± 2.36 years. Height and weight of each subject were measured, and overweight was classified as 24≤BMI<28, and obesity as BMI≥28.Biochemical indicators were detected including blood glucose, lipid, and thyroid function indicators. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and psychotic symptoms were evaluated using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive subscale, respectively. Results: Overweight/obesity was a separate factor influencing suicide attempts in subjects(p < 0.05, OR = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.34–0.95). Higher HAMD, HAMA scores, levels of total cholesterol (TC), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prevalence of thyroid peroxidase antibody abnormalities were seen in overweight/obese individuals who attempted suicide(all p values < 0.01).While in patients without overweight/obesity, those who attempted suicide had higher HAMD, HAMA, PANSS positive subscale scores, levels of TSH, fasting blood glucose, TC, blood pressure, prevalence of TSH abnormalities, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(all p values < 0.01). Conclusions: In young FEDN patients with MDD, overweight/obesity might influence the incidence of suicide attempts and related influences.

Keywords

• Overweight
• Obesity
• Major depressive disorder
• Suicide attempts
• Young