Risk of depression is higher in elderly patients with lowest serum cholesterol values

BMJ 1996;312:1298-1299 (18 May)

Letters

Risk of depression is higher in elderly patients with lowest serum cholesterol values

EDITOR,--We read with interest Paul H A Steegmans and colleagues'short report on serum cholesterol concentration and serotoninmetabolism.¹ We would like to add support to the hypothesisof an association between low serum cholesterol concentrationand depression with data obtained in our geriatric evaluationand rehabilitation unit.

Data in this study were taken from 476 elderly patients consecutivelyadmitted to our unit over 12 months (mean age 78.8 (SD 7.4);70% women). A multidimensional evaluation, including informationon demographics, physical health, cognitive and affective status,functional ability, and social support, was performed on thethird day after admission with a standard protocol. Cognitivestatus was evaluated by the Folstein mini-mental state examination,depressive symptoms with the geriatric depression scale,² andfunctional disability with the Tinetti balance and gait scale.Nutritional status was assessed by Mullin's prognostic nutritionalindex, which considers the serum albumin concentration, tricepsskinfold thickness, serum transferrin . . . [Full text of this article]