Association between telomere length and completed suicide observed in 71 suicide victims - Preliminary findings

Abstract

Objective: Telomere length has emerged as a cumulative marker for lifestyle, psychosocial stress, and cytotoxic environments. We aimed to examine the possible association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and completed suicide. Methods: This study included 71 suicide completers and 117 healthy controls for whom LTL was determined by the ratio of the telomere repeat copy number to the single-copy gene copy number (T/S ratio). We compared the LTL between the suicide completers and the healthy controls and estimated the odds ratio (OR) for suicide for each age group, applying a generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results: LTL was significantly shortened in the suicide completers as compared with the controls, overall subjects, or within-age categories (<= 29 and 30-49 years). Furthermore, a longer LTL was associated with significantly decreased odds of completed suicide for those aged 5 29 years and 30-49 years (OR = 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.37, p < .001 for the <= 29-year age group; OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.84, p = .006 for the 30- to 49-year age group). Conclusions: This study provides evidence regarding the relationship between shortened LTL and completed suicide, especially in those aged < 50 years. Future research should further assess potential confounders and examine underlying mechanisms.