Citation

Westling S, Ahrén B, Sunnqvist C, Träskman-Bendz L. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009; 34(6): 878-883.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.12.015

PMID

19188027

Abstract

Disturbances in glucose metabolism are of importance for violent behaviour in men, but studies in women are lacking. We used the 5h-oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in this study of 17 female psychiatric patients, selected for violent behaviour directed against themselves (deliberate self-harm) and 17 healthy controls matched for age and BMI. Following OGTT, patients had higher glucose levels at 30 min (p=0.007) and increased glucagon area under the curve (p=0.011). Since a co-morbid eating disorder might affect results, we as a post-hoc analysis subgrouped the patients and found that the increased glucagon levels only were present in patients with an eating disorder. In contrast, those without an eating disorder showed a significantly lower p-glucose nadir (p=0.015) and unaltered glucagon levels compared to controls. There were no significant differences in insulin and C-peptide levels between patients and controls. We conclude that deliberate self-harm in women may be associated with alterations in carbohydrate metabolism in certain groups. Eating disorder is a confounding factor.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Blood Glucose; C-Peptide; Case-Control Studies; Comorbidity; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Glucose Intolerance; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; Insulin; Self-Injurious Behavior; Young Adult