[Cholesterol deficiency. A pathogenetic factor in chronic anemias? Preliminary report of a study in three states (author's transl)].

It has been shown in several studies that there is a statistically confirmed connection between cholesterol and Hb levels in the sense that hypocholesterolemia and anemia occur together particular frequently. This was demonstrated in an epidemiological cross-section study of 3958 patient data, and also that in a retrospective case control study of 159 anemias there was a concurrent hypocholesterolemia. It is postulated that a causal connection exists which is explained by the fact that cholesterol deficiency leads to rigidity of the erythrocytes.