In a study of more than 7 million people hospitalized followed from 1980 to 2011, researchers at the Center for Neurodegenerative Science at Grand Rapid in the United States, found that patients hospitalized for serious infections such as HIV Where hepatitis, were 42% more likely to die from suicide than patients without severe infection.
Although this study published in the Jama psychiatry could not demonstrate a real causal link, the researchers discovered one in 10 suicide was linked to a serious infection. They believe that this increased risk of suicide is not only due to the psychological impact of the disease. But that there would be a biological cause: the infection would cause inflammation in the brain, creating the symptoms depression.
Towards the search for biomarkers to discover patients at risk
“Most severe infections can cause general inflammation but also affect the function of neurons to trigger a specific behavioral response. It is this response that leads to the behavior or the idea of suicide.” underlines Prof. Lena Brundin, main author of the study. “Further research will be needed in the future to identify biomarkers that will indicate which patients are at risk and improve treatment options for the most vulnerable people”.
Read also :
Ketamine would help fight suicidal thoughts
Suicide: two in the morning, one hour to watch
