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Gigliotta A, Trontti K, Väänänen J, Hovatta I. Gene expression profiling reveals a role of immune system and inflammation in innate and stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. Front Genet 2023; 14:1173376. [PMID: 37260777 PMCID: PMC10229056 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1173376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety is an evolutionarily conserved response that is essential for survival. Pathological anxiety, however, is a maladaptive response to nonthreatening situations and greatly affects quality of life. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and highlighted the urge to identify the molecular events that initiate pathological anxiety. To this aim, we investigated the extent of similarity of brain region-specific gene expression patterns associated with innate and stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. We compared the cortico-frontal (FCx) and hippocampal (Hpc) gene expression patterns of five inbred mouse strains with high or low levels of innate anxiety-like behavior with gene expression patterns of mice subjected to chronic social defeat stress. We found significantly large overlap of the Hpc but small overlap of the FCx gene expression patterns in innate and stress-induced anxiety, that however, converged onto common inflammation and immune system canonical pathways. Comparing the gene expression data with drug-gene interaction datasets revealed drug candidates, including medrysone, simvastatin, captopril, and sulpiride, that produced gene expression changes opposite to those observed in innate or stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. Together, our data provide a comprehensive overview of FCx and Hpc gene expression differences between innate and stress-induced anxiety and support the role of inflammation and immune system in anxiety-like behavior.
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Mirzaei E, Mirjalili M, Jahangard L, Haghighi M, Yasrebifar F, Mohammadi Y, Larki-Harchagani A, Mehrpooya M. Influence of Simvastatin as Augmentative Therapy in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Neuropsychobiology 2021; 80:242-252. [PMID: 33070132 DOI: 10.1159/000510853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary evidence is promising regarding the anxiolytic effects of statins in animal models of anxiety. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of simvastatin augmentation versus placebo in the treatment of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with residual symptoms despite treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). METHODS A double-blind, 8-week controlled trial was conducted from August 2018 to December 2019 in an outpatient psychiatry clinic in Hamadan, Iran. A total of 138 patients with a diagnosis of GAD were assessed for eligibility. Of them, 84 patients who met the study criteria were randomly assigned either to the adjuvant simvastatin (20 mg/day) or to the placebo group. Standard medication consisting of SSRIs was consistent 2 months prior to and during the study. The severity of anxiety symptoms for each patient was assessed based on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score at baseline, week 4, and week 8 after treatment. Additionally, blood lipid values were assessed at baseline and on completion of the study. RESULTS Thirty-three out of 42 patients in the intervention group and 35 out of 42 patients in the control group completed the 8 weeks of the study period. Compared to the placebo group, in the simvastatin group cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein significantly decreased, and high-density lipoprotein significantly increased over time. General linear model analysis demonstrated that although over time a higher decrease in mean HAM-A scores was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). In addition, at the end of the study, the number of responders and remitters was comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The results from this clinical study did not support the potential efficacy of adjunctive simvastatin in the treatment of patients with GAD. Thus, large-scale and long-term clinical trials are required to more accurately assess the potential efficacy of statins in the treatment of patients with anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Mirzaei
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahtabalsadat Mirjalili
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Leila Jahangard
- Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Haghighi
- Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Yasrebifar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Younes Mohammadi
- Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Amir Larki-Harchagani
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Maryam Mehrpooya
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran,
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Minocycline ameliorates anxiety-related self-grooming behaviors and alters hippocampal neuroinflammation, GABA and serum cholesterol levels in female Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Behav Brain Res 2019; 363:109-117. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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De Berardis D, Serroni N, Campanella D, Marini S, Rapini G, Valchera A, Iasevoli F, Mazza M, Fornaro M, Perna G, Di Iorio G, Martinotti G, Di Giannantonio M. Alexithymia, Suicide Ideation, C-Reactive Protein, and Serum Lipid Levels Among Outpatients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Arch Suicide Res 2017; 21:100-112. [PMID: 25856390 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2015.1004485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between alexithymia, suicide ideation, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and serum lipid levels in adult outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Seventy consecutive patients with GAD were recruited and evaluated. Measures were the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Scale of Suicide Ideation (SSI), and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). All patients were assessed for: CRP, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceridaemia (TG), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were also evaluated. Alexithymic patients showed higher scores on almost all rating scales and altered serum CRP and lipid levels vs. non-alexithymics. In the hierarchical regression model, the presence of higher MADRS scores together with higher scores at the Difficulty in Identifying Feelings dimension of TAS-20 were associated with higher rates of suicide ideation. Although alexithymic subjects with GAD may show a CRP and cholesterol dysregulation, this latter seems independent on increased suicide ideation, rather to Difficulty in Identifying Feelings, and subthreshold depressive symptoms. Study limitations and future research implications are discussed.
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Dimitriadis DG, Mamplekou E, Dimitriadis PG, Komessidou V, Papakonstantinou A, Dimitriadis GD, Papageorgiou C. The Association Between Obesity and Hostility: The Mediating Role of Plasma Lipids. J Psychiatr Pract 2016; 22:166-74. [PMID: 27123796 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent research indicates an association between obesity and psychopathology status, the nature of which remains unclear. We evaluated the mediating role of biochemical disturbances in this association among a treatment-seeking sample of obese individuals. METHOD The study enrolled 143 consecutive overweight and obese individuals (mean age 35±9 y) and 143 normal-weight controls (mean age 34±9 y), matched by age and sex. We measured psychopathology features using the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R), a standardized self-evaluation rating scale, and biochemical parameters (plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting glucose levels) of all participants. Nonlinear regression models were used to estimate the associations among obesity, psychopathology, and biochemical factors. RESULTS Obesity was associated positively and significantly (P<0.05) with all of the SCL-90-R subscales, with the exception of anxiety and phobic anxiety, as well as with levels of plasma glucose, cholesterol (P<0.01), and triglycerides (P<0.001). Tests for mediation showed that obesity was significantly associated, for the mediators of plasma cholesterol [parameter estimate=-0.033, P<0.05] and triglycerides (parameter estimate=-0.059, P<0.05), only with hostility (parameter estimate=-0.024, P<0.05 and parameter estimate=-0.041, P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that biological substrates that are critically related to obesity, such as dyslipidemia, may mediate, at least in part, the association between obesity and hostility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios G Dimitriadis
- D. G. DIMITRIADIS: Psychiatric Hospital of Attiki, Haidari, Greece MAMPLEKOU: Department of Mental Health, General Military Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece P. G. DIMITRIADIS: Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece KOMESSIDOU and PAPAKONSTANTINOU: 1st Surgical Department, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece G. D. DIMITRIADIS: 2nd Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece PAPAGEORGIOU: 1st Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Aiginition University Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Machado MB, Ignácio ZM, Jornada LK, Réus GZ, Abelaira HM, Arent CO, Schwalm MT, Ceretta RA, Ceretta LB, Quevedo J. Prevalência de transtornos ansiosos e algumas comorbidades em idosos: um estudo de base populacional. JORNAL BRASILEIRO DE PSIQUIATRIA 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/0047-2085000000100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a prevalência de transtornos ansiosos e fatores associados em uma amostra populacional de idosos do Sul de Santa Catarina. Métodos Estudo transversal com base em dados populacionais, que avaliou 1.021 indivíduos idosos entre 60 e 79 anos. Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares para aferição de variáveis sobre transtornos ansiosos, por meio do questionário MINI, dados sociodemográficos, hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) e dosagem de colesterol. Resultados As prevalências entre os transtornos ansiosos foram de 22,0% para o transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (TAG); 14,8% para fobia social (FS); 10,5% para transtorno do pânico (TP); e 8,5% para o transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC). Além disso, 40,5% dos indivíduos apresentaram pelo menos um transtorno de ansiedade. A distribuição dos transtornos foi semelhante nos dois gêneros; TAG foi mais prevalente nos indivíduos de menor escolaridade; TOC foi mais presente em indivíduos casados ou em união estável. Em relação às variáveis clínicas, HAS foi associada à presença de TOC; FS foi associada com IAM; TOC e FS foram associados com HDL > 40 mg/dL. Conclusão Os dados demonstram que os quadros de ansiedade são muito frequentes em idosos da comunidade, se sobrepõem de forma significativa e estão associados a algumas variáveis clínicas cardiovasculares.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - João Quevedo
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA; The University of Texas, USA
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van Lith HA, Laarakker MC, Lozeman-van't Klooster JG, Ohl F. Chromosomal assignment of quantitative trait loci influencing baseline circulating total cholesterol level in male laboratory mice: report of a consomic strain survey and comparison with published results. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:128. [PMID: 25889519 PMCID: PMC4404604 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An important risk for atherosclerosis is a low level of HDL cholesterol. Baseline HDL cholesterol is under complex genetic and environmental control. Here we report on results of male mice from a consomic strain survey and the parental inbred strains for baseline circulating total cholesterol concentration, which is almost the same as HDL cholesterol in chow fed mice. The consomic strains have been derived from C57BL/6J (host strain) and A/J (donor strain) inbred lines. The work contributes to the value of the mouse as an animal model for studying the genetic background of differences in baseline circulating total and HDL cholesterol levels. Results The consomic strain survey suggested that mouse chromosomes 1, 7, 9, 14, 16, 17, 19, X, and Y contained at least one quantitative trait locus that is involved in baseline circulating total cholesterol concentration. All consomic lines, for which there is evidence that the substituted chromosome contains a quantitative trait locus, increase compared to the host strain baseline circulating total cholesterol concentration. Since there is evidence that ‘body weight’, ‘age at blood sampling’, ‘time of the day blood was collected’, and ‘season’ influence this phenotype, additional statistical analyses (with these variables as covariates) were performed. Now there is only evidence for quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 1, 8, 12, and Y. Taken the present results together with previous consomic strain surveys there is evidence that all mouse chromosomes carry quantitative trait loci that control baseline circulating total cholesterol levels. There was however little agreement between the present consomic strain results and previous sets of data. This might be explained by seasonal effects and differences in methodological variables such as age of the mice, fasting versus non-fasting, percentage of dietary fat, unanesthetized versus anesthetized mice, and the daily light–dark cycle. Conclusions The present findings, when compared with previous consomic strain surveys, clearly illustrate the complexity of the genetic-environmental architecture for the regulation of baseline circulating total cholesterol levels in mice. Different data can be obtained from different labs and it underscores that animal geneticists should present as accurate a picture as possible of the laboratory mouse’s environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hein A van Lith
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Marijke C Laarakker
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Current address: Boston Scientific Nederland B.V., Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
| | - José G Lozeman-van't Klooster
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Frauke Ohl
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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De Berardis D, Campanella D, Serroni N, Moschetta FS, Di Emidio F, Conti C, Carano A, Acciavatti T, Di Iorio G, Martinotti G, Siracusano A, Di Giannantonio M. Alexithymia, suicide risk and serum lipid levels among adult outpatients with panic disorder. Compr Psychiatry 2013; 54:517-22. [PMID: 23332553 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Revised: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the relationships between alexithymia, suicide ideation and serum lipid levels in drug-naïve adult outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of Panic Disorder (PD), 72 patients were evaluated. Measures were the Panic Attack and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Scale of Suicide Ideation (SSI) and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Alexithymic patients showed higher scores on all rating scales and altered serum lipid levels than non-alexithymics. In the hierarchical regression model, the presence of lower HDL-C and higher VLDL-C levels and Difficulty in Identifying Feelings dimension of TAS-20 were associated with higher suicide ideation. In conclusion, alexithymic individuals with PD may show a cholesterol dysregulation that may be linked to suicide ideation. The authors discuss study limitations and future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico De Berardis
- Department of Neurosciences and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti, Italy.
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Sardinha A, Araújo CGS, Soares-Filho GLF, Nardi AE. Anxiety, panic disorder and coronary artery disease: issues concerning physical exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2011; 9:165-75. [PMID: 21453213 DOI: 10.1586/erc.10.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Psychological factors such as stress and depression have already been established as primary and secondary cardiovascular risk factors. More recently, the role of anxiety in increasing cardiac risk has also been studied. The underlying mechanisms of increased cardiac risk in panic disorder patients seem to reflect the direct and indirect effects of autonomic dysfunction, as well as behavioral risk factors associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. Implications of the comorbidity between panic and cardiovascular disease include higher morbidity, functional deficits, increased cardiovascular risk, and poor adherence to cardiac rehabilitation or exercise programs. This article probes the most recent evidence on the association between coronary artery disease, anxiety and panic disorder, and discusses the potential role of incorporating regular physical exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Sardinha
- Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Psychiatry Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Agargun MY, Dulger H, Inci R, Kara H, Ozer OA, Sekeroglu MR, Besiroglu L. Serum lipid concentrations in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients with and without panic attacks. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2004; 49:776-8. [PMID: 15633856 DOI: 10.1177/070674370404901109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine serum lipid levels in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and to test whether panic symptoms affect lipid concentrations in OCD patients. METHODS We assessed 33 OCD patients and 33 healthy control subjects matched for sex and age. RESULTS OCD patients had higher low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, and tryglyceride levels, but lower high-density lipoprotein levels, than normal control subjects. We also found that only OCD patients with panic attacks had higher serum lipid concentrations, compared with normal control subjects. Serum lipid levels of pure OCD patients did not differ from control values. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that high serum lipid concentrations are related to panic anxiety rather than other symptoms of the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Yucel Agargun
- Yuzuncu Yil University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Research Center, Van, Turkey.
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Peter H, Hand I, Hohagen F, Koenig A, Mindermann O, Oeder F, Wittich M. Serum cholesterol level comparison: control subjects, anxiety disorder patients, and obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2002; 47:557-61. [PMID: 12211884 DOI: 10.1177/070674370204700608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether panic disorder is associated with elevated serum cholesterol levels. Serum cholesterol levels of panic disorder patients are reported to be elevated. This could explain the higher-than-expected cardiovascular mortality in this population. Some evidence exists wherein cholesterol levels are also increased in patients with general anxiety disorder and phobias. To date, there are only 2 reports on cholesterol levels of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients, giving controversial results. METHOD We compared serum cholesterol levels of anxiety disorder patients, OCD patients, and normal control subjects with each other (n = 60 in each group). Serum cholesterol was measured in each subject before treatment. Subjects of the 3 groups were matched by age and sex. RESULTS Patients with anxiety disorders and OCD had elevated cholesterol levels, compared with normal control subjects. Cholesterol levels in OCD patients were comparable with those in patients with phobia. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the assumption that elevation in cholesterol level is not a specific feature of panic disorder (as most assumed), but more generally associated with anxiety disorders. Increased cholesterol levels in patients with anxiety disorders and OCD may be of clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Peter
- University Hospital Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistr. 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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Peter H, Tabrizian S, Hand I. Serum cholesterol in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder during treatment with behavior therapy and SSRI or placebo. Int J Psychiatry Med 2001; 30:27-39. [PMID: 10900559 DOI: 10.2190/apwf-n1xu-y7a0-tcbw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with panic disorder are reported to have elevated cholesterol levels. There is also some evidence that cholesterol elevation is not so much a specific condition in panic disorder but is generally associated with anxiety. So far, there is little data on cholesterol levels in patients with obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) which is also classified as anxiety disorder. METHOD Thirty-three patients with OCD participated in the study. Serum cholesterol was measured as pretreatment and at the end of a ten-week treatment-period. All patients received behavior therapy and, in a double-blind fashion, fluvoxamine or placebo. Severity of OCD was assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). RESULTS Pretreatment cholesterol values of OCD patients were compared with cholesterol levels of thirty panic disorder patients and thirty normal controls. OCD patients had elevated cholesterol levels comparable with those of panic disorder patients. Cholesterol levels decreased significantly from pre- to posttreatment. OCD patients with high cholesterol levels (> or = 240 mg/dl, n = 7) could make best use of the treatment whereas patients with desirable cholesterol levels (< 200 mg/dl, n = 11) did not change their cholesterol during treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the assumption that not only panic disorder but also other anxiety disorders, e.g., obsessive compulsive disorders, may be associated with serum cholesterol elevations. Effective treatment (behavior therapy and/or treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI]) seems to decrease cholesterol levels, especially in patients with pathological cholesterol elevations.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Peter
- University Hospital Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry, Hamburg, Germany
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