PLASMA-LIPID LEVELS AND PSYCHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS IN MEN

Results of several studies suggest that either a reduction in the seru m level of total cholesterol level or a persistently low cholesterol l evel may be associated with an increase in violent deaths. Although th ere are several possible explanations for these observations, it has b een suggested that the cholesterol level could influence various behav iors. We therefore examined the cross-sectional relation of several ps ychologic characteristics, assessed by the Diagnostic Interview Schedu le and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, to levels of t otal cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceri des among 3,490 men aged 31-45 years who were examined in 1985-1986. ( All men had served in the US Army between 1965 and 1971). Compared wit h that of other men, the mean total cholesterol level was 5 mg/dl high er among 697 men diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (possibly because of increased catecholamine levels) and 7 mg/dl lower among 32 5 men with antisocial personality disorder (p < 0.01 for each associat ion). These differences could not be attributed to education, relative weight, cigarette smoking, use of various medications, or other poten tial confounders. In contrast, cholesterol levels were not significant ly associated with major depression or hostility; levels of high-densi ty lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were not related to any d iagnosis. If the serum level of total cholesterol is found to be predi ctive of antisocial personality disorder in longitudinal analyses, thi s association may have implications for cholesterol-lowering recommend ations.