A controlled study of serum lipid profiles in Indian patients with depressive episode

Abstract

Background: Lower levels of circulating lipid fractions and cholesterol are risk factors for impulsivity and depressive disorder. A lower level of serum cholesterol is also associated with patients presenting with history of self-harm. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 depressive patients and 30 healthy matched control subjects were recruited from the department of Psychiatry of a tertiary care hospital. We measured serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels of both patient and control group. Results: The serum TC and LDL-cholesterol levels were found to be significantly lower in study group than that of control group. Conclusion: Lower levels of serum cholesterol are associated with depressive disorder.