Inflammatory and Metabolic Blood Parameters Associated with Aggression, Impulsivity, and Suicide Risk Among Male Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder in a Forensic Psychiatry Unit in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is strongly associated with violence, substance use, criminal behavior, and elevated suicide risk. Although inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation have been implicated in severe psychiatric disorders, the biological correlates of impulsivity, aggression, and suicide risk in forensic ASPD populations remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether routine hematological, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters are associated with these clinical features. <b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional study included 57 male individuals diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) who had committed crimes and were referred to the Forensic Psychiatry Department of Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital in Turkey by the court, and 56 age-matched healthy controls. Participants completed standardized assessments of impulsivity (BIS-11), aggression (BPAQ), and suicide probability (SPS). Hematological indices, inflammatory markers, and routine biochemical parameters were analyzed. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. <b>Results:</b> Compared with age-matched controls, individuals with ASPD showed markedly higher impulsivity, aggression, and suicide probability, alongside substantially higher rates of substance use, imprisonment history, and suicide attempts (all <i>p</i> < 0.001). Hematological and inflammatory analyses revealed lower red blood cell (RBC) counts and elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and CRP-albumin ratio (CAR) in the ASPD group (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Biochemical profiling showed reduced glucose, total protein, albumin, HDL, ALT, and vitamin B12 levels, with increased uric acid levels in ASPD (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Multivariable analysis indicated that being married and having higher education were protective against ASPD, whereas higher uric acid and CAR levels were associated with increased risk. <b>Conclusions:</b> The findings indicate that criminal offenders with ASPD show increased inflammatory markers and altered hematological and biochemical profiles. Routine blood parameters, combined with psychometric assessments, may help identify individuals at higher behavioral risk and support early risk stratification in forensic psychiatric settings, although causal relationships cannot be inferred from this cross-sectional study.

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Journal
Diagnostics
Published
2026-03-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060831
Primary Topic
Tryptophan and brain disorders
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article
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0.00
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article

Inflammatory and Metabolic Blood Parameters Associated with Aggression, Impulsivity, and Suicide Risk Among Male Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder in a Forensic Psychiatry Unit in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Berçem Afşar Karatepe, Gülay Tasci
Diagnostics
Tryptophan and brain disorders
article

Inflammatory and Metabolic Blood Parameters Associated with Aggression, Impulsivity, and Suicide Risk Among Male Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder in a Forensic Psychiatry Unit in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Berçem Afşar Karatepe, Gülay Tasci
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is strongly associated with violence, substance use, criminal behavior, and elevated suicide risk. Although inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation have been implicated in severe psychiatric disorders, the biological correlates of impulsivity, aggression, and suicide risk in forensic ASPD populations remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether routine hematological, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters are associated with these clinical features. <b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional study included 57 male individuals diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) who had committed crimes and were referred to the Forensic Psychiatry Department of Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital in Turkey by the court, and 56 age-matched healthy controls. Participants completed standardized assessments of impulsivity (BIS-11), aggression (BPAQ), and suicide probability (SPS). Hematological indices, inflammatory markers, and routine biochemical parameters were analyzed. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. <b>Results:</b> Compared with age-matched controls, individuals with ASPD showed markedly higher impulsivity, aggression, and suicide probability, alongside substantially higher rates of substance use, imprisonment history, and suicide attempts (all <i>p</i> < 0.001). Hematological and inflammatory analyses revealed lower red blood cell (RBC) counts and elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and CRP-albumin ratio (CAR) in the ASPD group (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Biochemical profiling showed reduced glucose, total protein, albumin, HDL, ALT, and vitamin B12 levels, with increased uric acid levels in ASPD (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Multivariable analysis indicated that being married and having higher education were protective against ASPD, whereas higher uric acid and CAR levels were associated with increased risk. <b>Conclusions:</b> The findings indicate that criminal offenders with ASPD show increased inflammatory markers and altered hematological and biochemical profiles. Routine blood parameters, combined with psychometric assessments, may help identify individuals at higher behavioral risk and support early risk stratification in forensic psychiatric settings, although causal relationships cannot be inferred from this cross-sectional study.

DiagnosticsVol. 16(6)
College of Medicine & JNM Hospital (IN), Turku City Hospital (FI)
Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 35%
Tryptophan and brain disorders
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