PLATELET MONOAMINE-OXIDASE IN ATTEMPTED-SUICIDE - RELATIONS TO SEX, PSYCHIATRIC-DIAGNOSIS, MODE OF ATTEMPT, AND PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities were assessed in 82 patien ts, 57 females and 25 males, who were admitted to the medical ward of a general hospital after a suicide attempt. The enzyme activities were compared to the activities of healthy subjects, 35 females and 26 mal es. In addition, MAO activities were analyzed in relation to sex, psyc hiatric diagnosis, mode of attempt, drugs ingested, and previous attem pts. Compared to normal controls, only female patients showed lower MA O activities. In the male population, lower activities were found in t he subgroup of patients who had made previous attempts. In relation to diagnosis, analysis performed in the female population revealed lower MAO activities in the dysthymic and personality disorder, and not in the adjustment or major affective disorder subgroups. MAO activities w ere not related to the violent mode of attempt, the type of medication used, or the score in the Beck Suicidal Intent scale. The finding of low platelet MAO activities in dysthymic disorder, indicates the need for further studies of biological variables in this underdiagnosed and undertreated diagnostic group.