Evaluation of leptin levels in serum as a biomarker for suicide behavior: systematic review and meta-analysis
Thelma Beatriz González‐Castro, Perla de los Angeles Almeida de la O, Carlos Alfonso Tovilla‐Zárate, María Lilia López‐Narváez, Alma Delia Genis‐Mendoza, Isela Esther Juárez‐Rojop, Nonanzit Pérez‐Hernández, José Manuel Rodrı́guez-Pérez
Abstract
Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies to determine whether leptin levels in serum contribute to the pathogenesis of suicide behavior.Methods: PubMed, EBSCO and Science Direct databases were used to search for relevant articles published before January 2020. The systematic review included nine case-control studies that measured leptin levels. The standardized mean difference (d) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated in a fixed-effects model and a random-effects model when appropriate.Results: The results of our meta-analysis indicated that individuals with suicide behavior presented reduced levels of leptin (d: −1.80, 95% CI: −2.21 to −01.38 ng/ml, I2 = 0, p(Q) = 0.59). Sensitivity and publication bias analyses confirmed these results.Conclusions: The current meta-analysis suggests that leptin levels might be associated with an increased risk of suicide behavior. However, more studies including larger sample sizes are needed to reach conclusive result.