The relationship between impulsivity and aggression with serum ghrelin, vitamin D and lipid levels in patients with borderline personal disorders

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a disorder that starts in young adulthood, shows inconsistency in interpersonal relationships, self-perception and affect, and is accompanied by significant impulsivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between impulsivity and aggression with serum ghrelin, vitamin D and lipid levels in patients with BPD. A total of 30 female patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of Mental Health and Diseases of Firat University Hospital or treated as inpatients, who were diagnosed as BPD without any history of organic disease or psychotic disorder were included in the study. The control group consisted of 30 age and sex matched healthy subjects. Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores of the case group were significantly higher than the mean scores of the control group. The ghrelin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the case group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The Barratt Impulsivity Scale Short Form (BIS-11) and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPSQ) total scores and their subscale scores of the case group were found to be significantly higher than the scores of the control group. A moderate positive correlation was found between Ghrelin and BIS-11 total score and sub-dimensions (attention, motor, lack of planning). There was a moderate positive correlation between vitamin D and anger score, which was the subscale of BPSQ. A moderate negative correlation was found between triglyceride and verbal aggression score, which is the sub-dimension of the BPSQ. As a result, anxiety, depression scores, ghrelin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found to be higher in patients with BPD than controls. Therefore, these variables may be considered in the management and treatment of patients with BPD. Keywords: Borderline personality disorder, ghrelin, vitamin D, lipid, aggression