Psychological distress in HIV-1 disease in relationship to hypocholesterolemia.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Psychological distress in HIV-1 disease in relationship to hypocholesterolemia.

Int J Psychiatry Med. 1997;27(2):159-71. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/98226842
Shor-Posner G; Baldewicz T; Feaster D; Blaney NT; Miguez-Burbano M; Szapocznik J; Goodkin K; Eisdorfer C; Baum MK; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami; School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Altered levels of serum cholesterol, which are prevalent in early HIV-1 infection, have been associated with disturbances in mood state and behavior. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of serum cholesterol status and psychological distress in HIV-1 seropositive and seronegative men. METHOD: The association between serum cholesterol level and psychological distress, measured with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), was examined in 169 individuals 117 HIV-1 seropositive and 52 seronegative homosexual men), controlling for negative life events, social support, coping style, and HIV-1 serostatus. RESULTS: Individuals with hypocholesterolemia (serum cholesterol levels < 150 mg/dL), exhibited significantly higher levels of distress, relative to individuals with values of cholesterol > 150 mg/dL (p = 0.01). HIV-1 seropositive men had significantly lower cholesterol levels p = 0.0001) and higher levels of distress than the seronegative men (p = 0.03). A significant interaction between negative life events and cholesterol status was demonstrated as well (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Hypocholesterolemia appears to be associated with increased psychological distress. Whereas the causal direction of the cholesterol-distress association cannot be specified, our results suggest that HIV-1 infected men with low cholesterol levels may benefit from being monitored for changes in distress level, so that appropriate psychosocial intervention can be instituted, as necessary.

Keywords: *Cholesterol/BLOOD *HIV Infections/PSYCHOLOGY *HIV-1 *Sick Role *Stress, Psychological/COMPLICATIONS
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M9881115

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