Neslişah GÜREL KÖKSAL, Mustafa KÖKSAL
Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care - 2026;7(2):282-288
Aims: We examined whether aging-related anxiety is associated with the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP; log10[TG/HDL-C]) in obese Turkish women. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled obese adults aged 45-65 years attending family medicine and obesity clinics at a university hospital. Sociodemographic characteristics, body-mass index (BMI), and serum lipids (HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol) were recorded. AIP was calculated as log10(TG/HDL-C). Aging-related anxiety was assessed using a validated 16-item scale. Spearman correlations and univariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 130 patients were included (mean age 53.5+/-5.9 years; mean BMI 35.0+/-4.3 kg/m²). Mean AIP was 0.52+/-0.20. Aging-related anxiety scores correlated positively with AIP (r=0.368, p<0.001). Physical appearance anxiety (r=0.408, p<0.001), psychological concerns (r=0.339, p<0.001), and fear of loss (r=0.285, p=0.001) were also associated with AIP . These subscales explained approximately 8%-17% of AIP variance in regression, with physical appearance anxiety showing the strongest effect. The "fear of old people" subscale was not significant (p=0.090). Conclusion: Aging-related anxiety - particularly appearance-related concerns - was associated with a more atherogenic lipid profile in obese midlife women; longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to test directionality and clinical impact.
