Serum cholesterol and impulsivity in personality disorders

Decreased serum cholesterol has been associated with impulsive aggressive b ehaviors. This study was designed to explore the relationship between serum cholesterol levels and measures of impulsive aggression in personality dis ordered patients. Forty-two personality disordered patients (14 borderline personality disorder, 28 other personality disorders) were included. Fastin g serum cholesterol was measured by standard enzymatic assay. An ANOVA was performed with factors of gender and diagnosis, looking at two-way interact ions between the factors and serum cholesterol. Patients with borderline pe rsonality disorder were found to have significantly lower serum cholesterol than non-borderline personality disorders. A significant interaction effec t was also seen between gender and diagnosis with the male patients having lower cholesterol levels. This study suggests there may be a relationship b etween borderline personality disorder and low serum cholesterol. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.