Association between cholesterol and response to escitalopram and nortriptyline in patients with major depression: Study combining clinical and register-based information

•Cholesterol levels increased during 26 weeks of antidepressant treatment.•Among those treated with escitalopram, the increase correlated with improved response.•We found no correlation between change in cholesterol and response in the nortriptyline group.•Baseline or change in cholesterol levels were not associated with differential 5-year prognosis.