MONTREAL—Adults with major depression without anxiety may find serious benefit from omega-3 fish oil supplements, according to a new study (J Clin Psychiatry. ePub 15 June 2010. DOI: 10.4088/JCP.10m05966blu). Researchers from McGill University recruited adult outpatients (n=432) with major depressive episode (MDE, per Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) lasting at least four weeks for the double blind, randomized, controlled, eight-week, parallel-group trial; 40.3 percent of subjects were taking antidepressants at baseline. Subjects received fish oil supplements containing 1,050 mg/d of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 150 mg/d of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or a matched sunflower oil placebo. Primary outcome was the self-report Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-SR30); secondary outcome was the clinician-rated Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
The patients were followed for four years after treatment. There was a trend toward a positive effect of omega-3 supplementation, as the adjusted mean difference between treatment and placebo was 1.32 points on the IDS-SR30 and 0.97 points on the MADRS. Subgroup analysis found a significant interaction of comorbid anxiety disorders and the study group. Looking at patients without comorbid anxiety disorders, omega-3 supplementation significantly improved depression ratings, with an adjusted mean difference of 3.17 points on the IDS-SR30 and 1.93 points on the MADRS.
CBC News reported on a news conference on the trial, where Nancy Frasure-Smith, Ph.D., one of the study researchers from McGill, said omega-3s had effects similar to conventional antidepressant treatment. Frasure-Smith said the findings open up new options for treating people with depression without anxiety disorders. She noted, “This is an alternative for them, which is worth exploring with their physicians.”
