The relationship between suicidal behavior and hematological inflammatory parameters: a retrospective cohort study.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Psychiatry
• Immunology

Background:

• Suicidal behavior is a complex issue with multifactorial causes.
• Chronic low-grade inflammation has been implicated in various mental health conditions, including suicidal behavior.
• Hematological parameters offer a potential avenue for objective risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between hematological inflammatory parameters and suicidal behavior.
• To explore the potential of these parameters as early indicators for suicide risk assessment.
• To analyze inflammatory markers before and at the time of presentation for suicidal behavior.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 454 individuals with suicidal behavior and 451 controls.
• Evaluation of routine hematological parameters (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, platelets) and derived indices (NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, SIRI).
• Analysis of parameters measured both prior to and at the time of presentation, using logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Significantly elevated inflammatory parameters were observed in the suicidal behavior group (p<0.001).
• Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) showed the strongest association with suicide attempts.
• High MLR prior to admission increased suicide attempt risk 25-fold; high monocyte levels at admission increased risk 8-fold. MLR and monocyte levels at admission predicted mortality.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the presence of chronic low-grade inflammation in suicidal behavior.
• Hematological inflammatory parameters demonstrate potential as accessible and low-cost biomarkers for suicide risk assessment.
• These markers could aid in the early identification and management of individuals at risk.