Violent suicide attempt history in elderly patients with bipolar disorder: The role of sex, abdominal obesity, and verbal memory: Results from the FACE-BD cohort (FondaMental Advanced center of Expertise for Bipolar Disorders)

TL;DR

This study identifies abdominal obesity and verbal memory deficits as key factors linked to violent suicide attempts in elderly bipolar disorder patients, highlighting potential mediators between sex and suicidal behavior.

Contribution

It reveals the roles of abdominal obesity and verbal memory impairment in violent suicide attempts among older BD patients, a novel insight into risk factors.

Findings

Violent SA associated with higher waist circumference and abdominal obesity.

Poorer verbal memory linked to violent SA.

Waist circumference and verbal memory mediate sex differences in violent SA.

Abstract

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, lifelong condition, associated with increased risk of obesity, cognitive impairment, and suicidal behaviors. Abdominal obesity and a higher risk of violent suicide attempt (SA) seem to be shared correlates with older age, BD, and male sex until middle age when menopause-related female body changes occur. This study aimed at assessing the role of abdominal obesity and cognition in the violent SA burden of individuals with BD.Methods: From the well-defined nationwide cohort FACE-BD (FondaMental Advanced center of Expertise for Bipolar Disorders), we extracted data on 619 euthymic BD patients that were 50 years or older at inclusion. Cross-sectional clinical, cognitive, and metabolic assessments were performed. SA history was based on self-report.Results: Violent SA, in contrast to non-violent and no SA, was associated with higher waist circumference, abdominal obesity and poorer California Verbal Learning Test short-delay free recall (CVLT-SDFR) (ANOVA, p < .001, p = .014, and p = .006). Waist circumference and abdominal obesity were associated with violent SA history independently of sex, BD type and anxiety disorder (Exp(B) 1.02, CI 1.00-1.05, p = .018; Exp(B) 2.16, CI 1.00-4.64, p = .009, accordingly). In an exploratory model, waist circumference and CVLT-SDFR performance mediated the association between male sex and violent SA.Limitations: Cross-sectional design and retrospective reporting.Conclusions: Violent SA history was associated with abdominal obesity and poorer verbal memory in older age BD patients. These factors were interlinked and might mediate the association between male sex and violent SA.