SERUM-LIPIDS AND MOOD IN WORKING MEN AND WOMEN IN SWEDEN

Study objective - To explore the link between serum cholesterol and su icide by investigating the relation between serum lipids and depressiv e symptoms. Design - This was a cross sectional study of the relation between serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides on the o ne hand and depressive symptoms as expressed in a questionnaire on the other. Setting - An organisational development programme in industry with assistance from occupational health care. Participants - A total of 644 male and 261 female employees (mainly white-collar workers) par ticipated. Main results - Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol values were lower in those men who, sometimes, often, or very often, had exp erienced low mood or glumness during the past month compared with thos e who had not. Serum triglyceride concentrations did not differ betwee n the groups. In women, however, the serum triglyceride value, but not the total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol, was lower in those who repo rted low mood, depression, or anxiety during the past six months. Conc lusions - Decreasing appetite as a consequence of depression in men wo uld probably lead to both decreasing cholesterol and triglyceride conc entrations. Thus, these data indicate the presence of some other expla nation for the relation between the level of LDL cholesterol and depre ssive symptoms in men.