Psychological distress in HIV-1 disease in relationship to hypocholesterolemia.
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.
Shor-Posner
G
G
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.
Baldewicz
T
T
Feaster
D
D
Blaney
N T
NT
Miguez-Burbano
M
M
Szapocznik
J
J
Goodkin
K
K
Eisdorfer
C
C
Baum
M K
MK
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*
D002784:Cholesterol