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Relationships between personality disorders and anthropometry, hormones and metabolism in women

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Abstract

This study sought to examine the potential influence of personality disorders (PD) on anthropometry, hormones and metabolism in women. In a population sample of women born in 1956 (no.=270), estimates of PD:s by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, Axis II, were correlated with anthropometric, endocrine, and metabolic factors. The PD:s were grouped into three thematic clusters: cluster A (characterized by oddness or eccentricity), cluster B (characterized by self-centeredness, emotionality, and erratic behavior) and cluster C (characterized by anxiety and fear). Subjects with cluster A PD:s had significantly increased body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and abdominal sagittal diameter (cm) as well as lower salivary cortisol after dexamethasone (DEX) compared to controls. Subjects with cluster B also had a significantly higher abdominal sagittal diameter and significantly lower salivary cortisol levels after DEX than controls. In addition, subjects with cluster B PD:s had decreased levels of ACTH, and significantly higher concentrations of lactate and triglycerides, while highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly lower compared to controls. A significantly higher waist/hip ratio was seen among subjects with cluster C PD:s. In addition, these subjects had higher levels of insulin, glucose, lactate, triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than controls. Moreover, IGF-I and HDL cholesterol were significantly decreased in the former group. These results suggest that PD:s are involved in the development of obesity and abdominal fat accumulation in women, with different endocrine and metabolic profiles depending on the type of PD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Heart and Lung Diseases, Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45, Göteborg, Sweden

    R. Rosmond, F. Baghei, G. Holm & P. Björntorp

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  1. R. Rosmond
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  2. F. Baghei
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  3. G. Holm
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  4. P. Björntorp
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Rosmond, R., Baghei, F., Holm, G. et al. Relationships between personality disorders and anthropometry, hormones and metabolism in women. J Endocrinol Invest 24, 159–165 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03343836

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