Association Between Low Serum Cholesterol and Impulsivity Behaviours in Eating Disorders Patients Compared with a Control Group

Abstract

Introduction

Previous studies suggest a relationship between decreased serum cholesterollevels and impulsive/aggressive behaviors [1]; howeverwe found just one study in the literature based in eating disorder [2].

Aims

To investigate the potentialrelationship between lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) andmeasures of impulsivity, aggression or suicidal behavior in a sample of nevertreated patient whit Eating disorder and healthy controls.

Methods

The first episode of eatingdisorders group consisted of 199 (age range 14-60) subjects included in DETECTAprogram of Cantabria, Spain, from 2011 to 2013. Other group of 199healthy controls were initially recruited from the community and matched by ageand gender. Socio-demographic information was collected for each subject. Clinicalcharacteristics were ascertained either from clinical charts or by directquestioning the study participants. Lifetime diagnosis of impulse control wasassessed with questionnaires developed ad hoc. Impulsivity was evaluated using self-administered questionnaires, EatingDisorder Inventory and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory.

Results

Differences found betweensubgroups did not differ from those shown in the literature, with higher levelsof impulsivity in the group of Bulimia. However in the partial correlation we did not find a relationship betweencholesterol levels and Impulsivity. We neither found this relationshipbetween suicide attempts, pathological gambling, compulsive buying disorder, self-harm or kleptomania.

Conclusions

Although the biological mechanism between plasma hypocholesterolemia andimpulsive behavior has not been fully elucidated this relationship has beenestablished in others pathologies [3], howeverin eating disorders so far, this theory has not been proved.