Effect of fish oil omega‑3 fatty acids on reduction of depressive symptoms among HIV‑seropositive pregnant women : a randomized, double‑blind controlled trial
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC (part of Springer Nature)
Abstract
Background: Globally, it is known that HIV-infected pregnant women are prone to depressive symptoms. Research
evidences also suggest that nutrient deficiencies may enhance the depressive illness, and that fish oil omega-3 fatty
acids may alleviate the depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fish oil omega-3 eicosapentaenoic
acid-rich supplements on depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive pregnant women.
Trial design: A randomized double-blinded controlled trial with two parallel groups was conducted. The intervention
group received fish oil omega-3 of 3.17 g (eicosapentaenoic acid = 2.15 g; docosahexaenoic acid = 1.02 g) per
day for 8 weeks, while the control group received soybean oil for a similar period.
Method: Participants were HIV-seropositive pregnant women who were enrolled in prevention of mother-to-child
transmission programs and attending antenatal clinics at selected Nairobi city county’s health facilities. Recruitment
was done from health records of HIV-infected pregnant women. Data analysis followed per-protocol analysis. Participants
who completed the 8-week trial were included in the analysis of covariance statistical model with omega-3 as
main effect. The covariates in the change in BDI-II depressive symptom score outcome were baseline characteristics
and nutrient adequacy.
Results: 282 participants were recruited 109 randomized to fish oil, and 107 to soybean oil. Completion rate was
86/109 (78.9%) and 96/107 (89.7%) respectively. At the end of week-8 of follow up most participants in both arms
had mild depressive symptoms 82/86 (95.3%) in the Fish oil group and 94/96 (97.9%) in the Soybean oil group. The
difference in effect between the intervention and control group was not statistically significant (1.01 (95% CI − 0.58 to
2.60), p = 0.21).
Conclusion: Fish oil omega-3 with a daily dosage of 3.17 g (eicosapentaenoic acid = 2.15 g; docosahexaenoic
acid = 1.02 g) appears to provide no added benefit in reduction of the symptoms of depression in HIV-infected pregnant
women.
Description
CITATION: Opiyo, R. O. 2018. Effect of fish oil omega‑3 fatty acids on reduction of depressive symptoms among HIV‑seropositive pregnant women : a randomized, double‑blind controlled trial. Annals of General Psychiatry, 17:49, doi:10.1186/s12991-018-0220-4.
The original publication is available at https://annals-general-psychiatry.biomedcentral.com
The original publication is available at https://annals-general-psychiatry.biomedcentral.com
Keywords
Omega-3 fatty acids -- Therapeutic use, Depression, Mental -- Diet therapy, HIV-positive women -- Psychological aspects
Citation
Opiyo, R. O. 2018. Effect of fish oil omega‑3 fatty acids on reduction of depressive symptoms among HIV‑seropositive pregnant women : a randomized, double‑blind controlled trial. Annals of General Psychiatry, 17:49, doi:10.1186/s12991-018-0220-4