C-reactive protein (CRP) level in depressed patients with suicidal behavior: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Introduction Suicidal behavior necessitates prompt diagnosis due to its severe consequences. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels may offer insights into its pathophysiology and aid in risk assessment, potentially enhancing preventive interventions and treatment strategies. The aim of this study is to assess the CRP levels in depressed patients with and without suicidal behavior.Methods Our systematic review was registered in Prospero (#CRD42024518477). We searched five databases (PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL Complete) for records in English from inception to February 2024. We included observational studies that measured CRP in depressed patients with and without suicidal behavior. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) to assess the quality of the included studies. We employed a random-effects model, and the statistical analysis was conducted using Stata software version 17.Results Initial 632 articles narrowed to 15 for systematic review. Fifteen studies with 3652 participants included. Fourteen studies involving 3387 depressed patients, 1269 with suicidal behavior, analyzed CRP levels. Suicidal patients exhibited higher CRP levels (SMD: 0.80 [0.37, 1.23]). Analysis of seven studies with 465 participants, including 200 depressed patients with suicidal behavior and 265 healthy controls, showed higher CRP levels in depressed patients (SMD: 1.58 [0.97, 2.19]).Conclusion In summary, our systematic review and meta-analysis of CRP levels in suicidal patients revealed that those with suicidal behavior exhibited higher CRP levels, suggesting possible implications for treatment approaches.
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Peripheral inflammatory activity reflected in elevated CRP, fibrinogen, and TRYCATs is higher among suicidal individuals than in psychiatric or healthy controls.
“Early psychoneuroimmunology research established that peripheral inflammatory activity reflected in elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) is higher among suicidal individuals than in psychiatric or healthy controls (74–76).”
From Exploring the neurobiological markers of suicidal behaviors in pediatric population: a narrative review (2026) · cites this paper as [74]
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Salehi, M., Saeidi, M., Amanat, M., Barias, T., Anyeji, U., Alzein, O., & Gunturu, S. (2026) · Frontiers in Pediatrics · doi:10.3389/fped.2026.1738009
“Early psychoneuroimmunology research established that peripheral inflammatory activity reflected in elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) is higher among suicidal individuals than in psychiatric or healthy controls (74 – 76).”
- Authors
- Fatemian, H., Moslemi, H., Hosseini, Y., & Moshfeghinia, R.
- Affiliations
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Aja University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Hosseini, Yasaman
- Moshfeghinia, Reza
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2024-12
- Volume
- 366
- Pages
- 423-433
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4401836430
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 11
- FWCI
- 1.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- C-reactive protein, depression, suicidal behavior, inflammation, suicide risk assessment, biomarkers, depression pathophysiology
- MeSH terms
- C-Reactive Protein, Depression, Humans, Suicide, Attempted, Biomarkers, Suicidal Ideation
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