Anemia, depression, and suicidal attempts in women: Is there a relationship?

Abstract

Objective:Suicide is a social health problem worldwide. Anemia has been associated with depression. Since it remains debated whether anemia is associated with suicide independently of depression, we evaluate this probable association in women who attempted suicide through acute poisoning.Methods:The study design was cross-sectional and performed on women who attempted suicide through intentional poisoning with age more than 18 years old. Different variables were evaluated and compared in patients with respect to anemia, depression, other psychiatric diseases and history of suicide. Independent t-tests and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.Findings:Nearly 26.2% of the women had anemia (n = 55). Most women with anemia were in the age group of 20–40 years (68.8%). 52.2% of the women were married. Mixed-drug poisoning was the most common (60.1%) followed by pesticide (8.9%), and antipsychiatric medications (8.4%). There was a significant difference in duration of hospitalization between anemic and nonanemic patients. Nearly 72.7% of the patients survived without complications. Anemia and depression were not significant predictive factors for depression and suicide. However, in our patients, the presence of other underlaying psychiatric disorders was a risk factor for suicidal attempt through acute poisoning.Conclusion:In women who attempted suicide through acute poisoning, anemia and depression were not predicting factors for suicide. However, the presence of other underlying psychiatric psychiatric disorders had a predictive value for the outcome of treatment. Length of hospital stay was also correlated with anemia.

Multilevel Impacts of Iron in the Brain: The Cross Talk between Neurophysiological Mechanisms, Cognition, and Social Behavior

“…The effects of iron deficiency on psychosocial disorders were further reported in depression. Several studies indicate anemia as a pre-disposing factor [192,193] for a condition that, unlike anxiety, is characterized by a low arousal negative state accompanied by pervasive negative thoughts and emotions about oneself and the future [188]. Individuals with major depressive disorder have difficulties engaging in cognitive reappraisal (i.e., an effort to change the subjective evaluation of a situation in order to modify its emotional impact), which is a key emotional regulation strategy to deal with stressful or uncontrollable events [194].…”