Antagonistic hostility was significantly associated with higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and the cholesterol to HDL ratio in healthy young women.
Cross-Sectional (n=77)
Is hostility associated with adverse lipid and lipoprotein profiles in healthy young women?
Antagonistic hostility is associated with an adverse lipid profile in healthy young women, suggesting a potential pathophysiological mechanism linking hostility to coronary heart disease.
We examined the relation of antagonistic, neurotic, and cynical hostility to lipids and lipoproteins in 77 healthy women (aged 18-26) selected for having high (> 17) or low (< 12) scores on the Cook-Medley Hostility (Ho) scale. Fasting lipids were determined during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle for oral contraceptive (OC) non-users (N = 41), and during pills 15-21 for OC users (N = 36). Factor scores for antagonistic and neurotic hostility were derived from a principal component of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, Spielberger's Anger Expression, and the NEO-Personality Inventory. High Ho scores were significantly associated with higher cholesterol. Antagonistic hostility significantly predicted cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and the ratio of cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol, with higher antagonistic hostility scores associated with higher levels. Neurotic hostility did not predict lipids. Results suggest a potential pathophysiological mechanism that may contribute to the association between hostility and coronary heart disease. Moreover, a measure of antagonistic hostility, relative to cynical and neurotic hostility, was the best predictor of lipid levels.
Suarez et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=77). Antagonistic hostility vs. Low hostility was evaluated on Fasting lipids and lipoproteins. Antagonistic hostility was significantly associated with higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and the cholesterol to HDL ratio in healthy young women.