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

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 B 12, and erythrocyte parameter levels in patients with LLD with those in healthy older adults, and the relationship between serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B 12, and suicide attempts in patients. Methods: : Serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B 12, 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 B 12 , 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 B 12 levels and LLD patients’ suicide attempts and self-assessed depression scores showed a significant negative association between serum folate and vitamin B 12 and suicide attempts ( p <0.05). Conclusion: Serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B 12 , 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 B 12 levels in patients were associated with suicide attempts.