Researchers of a study investigated the relationship between biological rhythm disturbances and the severity of suicidal ideation in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). The Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) scale was employed to evaluate the participants’ biological rhythm dysregulation. The researchers conducted multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the association between biological rhythm and the risk of MDD, as well as multiple linear regression analysis within the MDD group to explore the link between different biological rhythm dimensions and suicidal ideation.

The logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between total BRIAN score and the presence of MDD, particularly in dimensions of activity, sleep, social rhythms, and eating patterns. Additionally, linear regression analysis in patients with MDD found a positive relationship between suicidal ideation intensity and dysregulation in eating patterns, even after adjusting for demographic factors and depression severity. This suggests that individuals with MDD experience pronounced biological rhythm disturbances, and these disturbances, especially in eating patterns, are linked to increased suicidal ideation.

Reference: Liu D, Zhang M, Ding L, et al. Relationship between biological rhythm dysregulation and suicidal ideation in patients with major depressive disorder. BMC Psychiatry. 2024;24(1):87. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05528-2.