Effect of an anxiolytic on lipid profile in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The effects on serum lipid levels of reducing stress were examined in 20 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. An anxiolytic, fludiazepam, was administered to the patients for 12 weeks and their lipid profiles and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores at the beginning and end of treatment were compared. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased significantly after the administration of anxiolytic, but other aspects of the lipid profile were unchanged. Both trait and state anxiety scores decreased significantly with the administration of anxiolytic. The results indicate that improvement of stress in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus increases high-density lipoprotein levels.