Serum cholesterol levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and with GAD and comorbid major depression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk for cardiovascular disease in patients with GAD, as well as the effects of comorbid major depression (MD). METHOD: Predrug-trial serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were assessed in 38 patients with pure GAD and compared with those of 21 patients with mixed GAD and comorbid (MD). RESULTS: Significantly higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found in the GAD group. CONCLUSION: Increased noradrenergic activity may be responsible for elevations in lipid levels in patients with pure GAD.