Low serum cholesterol is not associated with depression in the elderly: data from an Australian community study

Background: Low serum cholesterol may contribute to depressive symptoms in the elderly. Aims: To test the relationship between depressive symptoms and low serum cholesterol in an elderly cohort. Methods: This was an examination of cross‐sectional data in a community study of 1237 men and 1568 women aged 60 + years in Dubbo, NSW. Quintiles of serum cholesterol were defined for men and women. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was used as a continuous, dependent variable in multiple regression analyses. Results: Low serum cholesterol was not associated with depressive symptoms in older men or women. Health status, measured by poorer self‐ratings, recent hospitalisation, higher disability levels and higher consumption of prescribed and self‐prescribed drugs, predicted depressive symptoms. As well, the significance in the statistical model of financial difficulties, low self esteem, low feelings of self efficacy, the adequacy of practical help and emotional support, and recent widowhood, confirmed the importance of social origins of depressive symptoms. (Aust NZ J Med 1994; 24: 561–564.)