title: Psychological distress in HIV-1 disease in relationship to hypocholesterolemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Altered levels of serum cholesterol, which are prevalent in early HIV-1 infection, have been associated with disturbances in mood state and behavior. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of serum cholesterol status and psychological distress in HIV-1 seropositive and seronegative men.
  
  
  METHODS
  The association between serum cholesterol level and psychological distress, measured with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), was examined in 169 individuals (117 HIV-1 seropositive and 52 seronegative homosexual men), controlling for negative life events, social support, coping style, and HIV-1 serostatus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with hypocholesterolemia (serum cholesterol levels < 150 mg/dL), exhibited significantly higher levels of distress, relative to individuals with values of cholesterol > 150 mg/dL (p = 0.01). HIV-1 seropositive men had significantly lower cholesterol levels (p = 0.0001) and higher levels of distress than the seronegative men (p = 0.03). A significant interaction between negative life events and cholesterol status was demonstrated as well (p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypocholesterolemia appears to be associated with increased psychological distress. Whereas the causal direction of the cholesterol-distress association cannot be specified, our results suggest that HIV-1 infected men with low cholesterol levels may benefit from being monitored for changes in distress level, so that appropriate psychosocial intervention can be instituted, as necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shor-Posner
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baldewicz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feaster
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Blaney
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miguez-Burbano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szapocznik
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goodkin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eisdorfer
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Baum
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D015497:HIV-1; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012016:Reference Values; D012803:Sick Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol