Association between suicide attempts and anemia in late-life depression inpatients

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Anemia is strongly associated with late-life depression (LLD); however, few studies have investigated the relationship between anemia and suicide attempts in LLD patients. This study aimed to compare serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and erythrocyte parameter levels in patients with LLD with those in healthy older adults, and the relationship between serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and suicide attempts in patients. Methods: Serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and erythrocyte parameter levels were measured in hospitalized LLD patients (n=66) and healthy older adults (n=47). All participants were surveyed for basic conditions and suicide attempts, and depression was assessed in LLD patients. Results: Serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were significantly lower in LLD patients compared with healthy older adults (p<0.05). Further analysis of the relationship between serum ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 levels and LLD patients’ suicide attempts and self-assessed depression scores showed a significant negative association between serum folate and vitamin B12 and suicide attempts (p<0.05). Conclusion: Serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were significantly lower in LLD patients than in healthy older adults. In addition, reduced serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in patients were associated with suicide attempts.