Key result
Low HDL-C was associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, while higher LDL-C was associated with lower depression and higher TC with higher depression in older adults.
Why the study?
Older adults experience changes in cholesterol levels and are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and depression, prompting evaluation of the association between serum cholesterol levels and these conditions.
Are serum cholesterol levels associated with cognitive impairment and depression in elderly individuals without dementia?
Cohort (n=128,371)
Are serum cholesterol levels associated with cognitive impairment and depression in elderly individuals without dementia?
In older adults without dementia, HDL-C levels are inversely associated with cognitive impairment, while higher LDL-C and total cholesterol are associated with lower rates of depression.
Association between cholesterol and cognitive/mood outcomes observed in older adults; leaves open causality and need for prospective trials.
OBJECTIVES: As aging progresses, older adults experience several health changes, including changes in cholesterol levels, which increases their risk for other diseases. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and depression, which may be due to several factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum cholesterol level and cognitive impairment and depression in older adults. METHODS: This study used senior cohort data from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea. A total of 128 371 participants contributed repeated measures to this dataset. Cognitive impairment was measured via a self-reported questionnaire and depression was measured using claim data. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify associations between serum cholesterol level and cognitive impairment and depression, including subgroup analyses by sex. RESULTS: There was no significant association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), or triglycerides (TG) with cognitive impairment. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, whereas high HDL-C was associated with lower cognitive impairment. Higher LDL-C was significantly associated with lower depression. Higher TC also was significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSION: HDL-C is associated with depressive symptoms, and may be a key factor in predicting psychiatric symptoms or cognitive decline. Our study suggest that routine health screenings may aid in the early detection of high-risk individuals.
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Han et al. (2020) conducted a cohort in Cognitive impairment and depression (n=128,371). Serum cholesterol levels was evaluated on Cognitive impairment and depression. Low HDL-C was associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, while higher LDL-C was associated with lower depression and higher TC with higher depression in older adults.
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