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Serum cholesterol levels in patients with panic disorders: a comparison with major depression and schizophrenia
K Yamada1, T Tsutsumi, I Fujii
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Oita Medical University, Japan.
Insights
Individuals with panic disorder (PD) have higher total cholesterol (TC) levels, independent of other mental health conditions. These elevated TC levels in panic disorder patients are linked to disease factors, not severity or treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Long-term studies indicate elevated cardiovascular disease mortality in males with panic disorder (PD).
- Previous research on the relationship between PD and total cholesterol (TC) levels has yielded inconsistent results.
- Understanding the link between PD and TC is crucial for managing cardiovascular risk in affected individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare TC levels in patients with PD to those with major depression and schizophrenia.
- To investigate the correlation between PD severity and TC levels.
- To examine TC level changes before and after treatment in PD patients.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 46 PD patients, 46 patients with major depression, and 46 patients with schizophrenia.
- Patients were matched for sex, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
- TC levels were measured, and the relationship with PD severity and treatment response was analyzed.
Main Results:
- TC levels were significantly higher in the PD group compared to the major depression and schizophrenia groups.
- No significant correlation was found between PD severity and TC levels.
- TC levels did not decrease in PD patients who achieved remission.
Conclusions:
- Elevated TC levels in PD patients appear to be linked to endogenous, disease-specific factors.
- These findings suggest a potential biological mechanism contributing to increased cardiovascular risk in PD.
- Clinicians should monitor TC levels in PD patients, particularly males, due to the association with cardiovascular mortality.
Abstract:
Results of several long-term follow-up studies suggest that mortality due to cardiovascular diseases is high in males with panic disorder (PD). Based on these data, various studies have been undertaken to determine the relationship between PD and total cholesterol (TC) levels; however the results obtained so far have not been consistent. We compared TC levels in 46 PD patients to those in 46 sex, age, smoking and alcohol consumption matched patients with major depression and 46 matched patients with schizophrenia. The relationship between TC and the severity of PD was investigated, and before- and after-treatment TC change was compared. TC levels were significantly higher in the PD group than in the other groups, regardless of sex. The severity of PD was not correlated with TC levels. TC levels did not decrease in remitted PD patients. These findings suggest that relatively high TC levels in PD patients are attributable to endogenous disease-specific factors. Clinicians should pay close attention to the correlation between high mortality due to cardiovascular diseases and relatively high TC levels in male PD patients.