Increases in depression after cholesterol-lowering drug treatment.
To investigate the possibility that increases in depressive symptoms might occur in patients who have undergone cholesterol-lowering interventions, the authors administered the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale before and after cholesterol lowering to 6 men who were referred to a lipid clinic. All of the patients' cholesterol levels were reduced after the 6-week intervention, and 4 of the patients' depression scores increased; scores of 2 of the 4 met the criteria for mild clinical depression. Further study of possible links among low cholesterol, depressive symptoms, and serotonergic activity is needed.
Davidson
K W
KW
Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Reddy
S
S
McGrath
P
P
Zitner
D
D
MacKeen
W
W
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002784:Cholesterol