Psychiatry Investig.
2023 Apr;20(4):369-373. 10.30773/pi.2022.0372.
Ghrelin Modifies the Impact of Life Stress on Suicidality in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
- 3Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- 4Department of Cardiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- KMID: 2541687
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2022.0372
Abstract
Objective
This study investigated associations of life stressors and serum ghrelin levels with suicidal ideation (SI), and evaluated the potential mediating effect of ghrelin on associations between life stressors and SI in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Methods
In total, 969 ACS patients recruited from a tertiary university hospital in Korea within 2 weeks of disease onset were evaluated in terms of life stressors (using the List of Threatening Events Questionnaire), serum ghrelin levels, and SI (using the “suicidal thoughts” item of the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale). Covariates included sociodemographics, depression, vascular risk factors, and disease severity. After 1 year, 711 patients were re-evaluated in terms of SI; logistic regression was performed with adjustment for covariates.
Results
Life stressors were significantly associated with SI at baseline and follow-up. Serum ghrelin showed no such associations, but high levels thereof mediated associations of life stressors with SI; significant interaction terms were also observed after adjustment for covariates.
Conclusion
By evaluating life stressors and serum ghrelin levels, clinical prediction of SI in the acute and chronic phases of ACS could be improved.
