Omega‐3 fatty acids for depression in adults

doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004692.pub4

The Cochrane Library

Omega-3 fatty acids for depression in adults

Review
Intervention

Authors

Katherine M Appleton,
Corresponding author
1. Bournemouth University, Department of Psychology, Poole, UK
- Katherine M Appleton, Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole House, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, UK. k.appleton@bournemouth.ac.uk.
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Hannah M Sallis,
1. University of Bristol, Centre for Academic Mental Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, Bristol, UK
2. University of Bristol, MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Social and Community Medicine, Bristol, UK
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Rachel Perry,
1. University Hospitals Bristol Education Centre, NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet and Lifestyle, Bristol, Avon, UK
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Andrew R Ness,
1. University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet and Lifestyle, Bristol, Avon, UK
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Rachel Churchill
1. University of Bristol, Centre for Academic Mental Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, Bristol, UK
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First published: 4 November 2015
Editorial Group: Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Group
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004692.pub4 View/save citation
Cited by (CrossRef): 5 articles Check for updates
- Citing literature

Abstract

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly debilitating, difficult to treat, has a high rate of recurrence, and negatively impacts the individual and society as a whole. One emerging potential treatment for MDD is n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs), also known as omega-3 oils, naturally found in fatty fish, some other seafood, and some nuts and seeds. Various lines of evidence suggest a role for n-3PUFAs in MDD, but the evidence is far from conclusive. Reviews and meta-analyses clearly demonstrate heterogeneity between studies. Investigations of heterogeneity suggest differential effects of n-3PUFAs, depending on severity of depressive symptoms, where no effects of n-3PUFAs are found in studies of individuals with mild depressive symptomology, but possible benefit may be suggested in studies of individuals with more severe depressive symptomology.

Objectives

To assess the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (also known as omega-3 fatty acids) versus a comparator (e.g. placebo, anti-depressant treatment, standard care, no treatment, wait-list control) for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.

Search methods

We searched the Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Review Group’s Specialised Registers (CCDANCTR) and International Trial Registries over all years to May 2015. We searched the database CINAHL over all years of records to September 2013.

Selection criteria

We included studies in the review if they: were a randomised controlled trial; provided n-3PUFAs as an intervention; used a comparator; measured depressive symptomology as an outcome; and were conducted in adults with MDD. Primary outcomes were depressive symptomology (continuous data collected using a validated rating scale) and adverse events. Secondary outcomes were depressive symptomology (dichotomous data on remission and response), quality of life, and failure to complete studies.

Data collection and analysis

We used standard methodological procedures as expected by Cochrane.

Main results

We found 26 relevant studies: 25 studies involving a total of 1438 participants investigated the impact of n-3PUFA supplementation compared to placebo, and one study involving 40 participants investigated the impact of n-3PUFA supplementation compared to antidepressant treatment.

For the placebo comparison, n-3PUFA supplementation results in a small to modest benefit for depressive symptomology, compared to placebo: standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.10 to -0.50; 25 studies, 1373 participants, very low quality evidence), but this effect is unlikely to be clinically meaningful (an SMD of 0.30 represents a difference between groups in scores on the HDRS (17-item) of approximately 2.1 points (95% CI 0.7 to 3.5)). The confidence intervals include both a possible clinically important effect and a possible negligible effect, and there is considerable heterogeneity between the studies. Although the numbers of individuals experiencing adverse events were similar in intervention and placebo groups (odds ratio (OR) 1.24, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.62; 19 studies, 1207 participants; very low-quality evidence), the confidence intervals include a significant increase in adverse events with n-3PUFAs as well as a small possible decrease. Rates of remission and response, quality of life, and rates of failure to complete studies were also similar between groups, but confidence intervals are again wide.

The evidence on which these results are based is very limited. All studies contributing to our analyses were of direct relevance to our research question, but we rated the quality of the evidence for all outcomes as low to very low. The number of studies and number of participants contributing to all analyses were low, and the majority of studies were small and judged to be at high risk of bias on several measures. Our analyses were also likely to be highly influenced by three large trials. Although we judge these trials to be at low risk of bias, they contribute 26.9% to 82% of data. Our effect size estimates are also imprecise. Funnel plot asymmetry and sensitivity analyses (using fixed-effect models, and only studies judged to be at low risk of selection bias, performance bias or attrition bias) also suggest a likely bias towards a positive finding for n-3PUFAs. There was substantial heterogeneity in analyses of our primary outcome of depressive symptomology. This heterogeneity was not explained by the presence or absence of comorbidities or by the presence or absence of adjunctive therapy.

Only one study was available for the antidepressant comparison, involving 40 participants. This study found no differences between treatment with n-3PUFAs and treatment with antidepressants in depressive symptomology (mean difference (MD) -0.70 (95% CI -5.88 to 4.48)), rates of response to treatment or failure to complete. Adverse events were not reported in a manner suitable for analysis, and rates of depression remission and quality of life were not reported.

Authors' conclusions

At present, we do not have sufficient high quality evidence to determine the effects of n-3PUFAs as a treatment for MDD. Our primary analyses suggest a small-to-modest, non-clinically beneficial effect of n-3PUFAs on depressive symptomology compared to placebo; however the estimate is imprecise, and we judged the quality of the evidence on which this result is based to be low/very low. Sensitivity analyses, funnel plot inspection and comparison of our results with those of large well-conducted trials also suggest that this effect estimate is likely to be biased towards a positive finding for n-3PUFAs, and that the true effect is likely to be smaller. Our data, however, also suggest similar rates of adverse events and numbers failing to complete trials in n-3PUFA and placebo groups, but again our estimates are very imprecise. The one study that directly compares n-3PUFAs and antidepressants in our review finds comparable benefit. More evidence, and more complete evidence, are required, particularly regarding both the potential positive and negative effects of n-3PUFAs for MDD.

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Plain language summary

Omega-3 fatty acids for depression in adults

Why is this review important?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterised by depressed mood and/or a markedly decreased pleasure or interest in all activities. It has negative impacts on the individual and on society, often over the long term. One possible treatment for MDD is n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs), also known as omega-3 oils, naturally found in fatty fish, some other seafood and some nuts and seeds. Various lines of evidence suggests that n-3PUFAs may impact on depressive symptoms, but a lot of studies have different findings, making it difficult to draw conclusions.

Who will be interested in this review?

Health professionals, including general practitioners, mental health and psychiatric specialists; individuals with MDD, more mild or additional depressive disorders; and the people around them.

What questions does this review aim to answer?

Do n-3PUFAs, compared to an alternative, have an effect on depressive symptoms, negative side effects, rates of recovery, quality of life, and rates of dropout from studies, in individuals with a diagnosis of MDD?

Which studies were included in the review?

We searched scientific databases for all randomised controlled trials in adults with a diagnosis of MDD, where individuals received either n-3PUFAs or an alternative, that were carried out up to May 2015.

We found 26 relevant studies: 25 studies involving 1438 people compared the impact of n-3PUFAs with that of placebo, and one study involving 40 people compared the impact of n-3PUFAs with that of antidepressants. All studies were of direct relevance to our review, but we considered the quality of the evidence to be low to very low.

What does the evidence from the review tell us?

At present, we do not have enough high quality evidence to determine the effects of n-3PUFAs as a treatment for MDD. We found a small-to-modest positive effect of n-3PUFAs compared to placebo, but the size of this effect is unlikely to be meaningful to people with depression, and we considered the evidence to be of low or very low quality, with many differences between studies. There was also insufficient high quality evidence to determine the effects of n-3PUFAs on negative side effects or numbers failing to complete trials.

What should happen next?

We need more evidence, particularly to explain the differences between study findings, e.g. by looking at individuals who may and may not benefit from n-3PUFAs. Future studies should also compare n-3PUFAs with usual antidepressant treatment, and investigate the way these treatments may work.

Laienverständliche Zusammenfassung

Omega-3-Fettsäuren gegen Depressionen bei Erwachsenen

Warum ist dieser Review wichtig?

Die schwere Depression (major depressive disorder, MDD) ist charakterisiert durch Merkmale wie Niedergeschlagenheit und/ oder einen deutlichen Rückgang der Freude bzw. des Interesses an jeglichen Tätigkeiten. Sie hat kurz- und oftmals auch längerfristig negative Folgen für die betroffene Person und die Gesellschaft. Eine mögliche Behandlung der MDD ist die Einnahme von mehrfach ungesättigten n-3-Fettsäuren, auch bekannt als Omega-3-Fettsäuren, die in natürlicher Form in fettreichem Fisch, bestimmten Meeresfrüchten und einigen Nüssen und Samen vorkommen. Es gibt viele Hinweise dafür, dass ungesättigte n-3-Fettsäuren gegen Symptome der Depression wirken. Allerdings kamen viele Studien zu unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen, weswegen es schwierig ist, endgültige Schlüsse zu ziehen.

Zielgruppe des Reviews

Fachpersonen im Gesundheitswesen, darunter Allgemeinärzte, Psychiater und andere Fachleute für psychische Gesundheit, Personen mit schweren oder leichteren depressiven Episoden oder diejenige mit zusätzlichen depressiven Störungen, sowie die Menschen in ihrem Umfeld.

Welche Fragen soll dieser Review beantworten?

Wie wirken ungesättigte n-3-Fettsäuren im Vergleich zu einer Alternative auf die depressiven Symptome und welche unerwünschte Nebenwirkungen haben sie? Zudem: Wie wirken sie sich bei Personen mit einer MDD-Diagnose auf die Genesungsraten, die Lebensqualität und auf die Häufigkeit von Studienabbrüchen aus?

Welche Studien wurden in diesen Review eingeschlossen?

Wir haben in wissenschaftlichen Datenbanken nach allen randomisierten kontrollierten Studien zu Erwachsenen mit einer MDD-Diagnose gesucht, die bis zum Mai 2015 durchgeführt wurden und in denen die Personen entweder ungesättigte n-3-Fettsäuren oder eine Alternative erhielten.

Wir fanden 26 entsprechende Studien. Davon verglichen 25 Studien mit 1438 Teilnehmern die Wirkung von ungesättigten n-3-Fettsäuren mit der eines Placebos und eine Studie mit 40 Teilnehmern die Wirkung von ungesättigten n-3-Fettsäuren mit der von Antidepressiva. Alle Studien waren unmittelbar für unser Review relevant, aber wir fanden die Qualität der Evidenz niedrig bis sehr niedrig.

Was besagt die Evidenz aus diesem Review?

Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt verfügen wir nicht über Evidenz in ausreichend hoher Qualität, um die Wirkungen von ungesättigten n-3-Fettsäuren als Behandlung einer MDD bestimmen zu können. Wir stellten eine gering bis mäßig positive Wirkung von ungesättigten n-3-Fettsäuren im Vergleich zum Placebo fest, aber diese geringe Wirkung dürfte für Menschen mit Depression kaum von Bedeutung sein und wir beurteilten die Evidenz als von niedriger bis sehr niedriger Qualität. Die verschiedenen Studien wiesen viele Unterschiede auf. Auch gab es keine ausreichende Evidenz hoher Qualität, um die Wirkung von ungesättigten n-3-Fettsäuren auf unerwünschte Nebenwirkungen oder die Anzahl der Studienabbrüche beurteilen zu können.

Was sollte als Nächstes passieren?

Wir benötigen mehr Evidenz, insbesondere um die Unterschiede zwischen den Studienergebnissen erklären zu können. Z. B. sollte untersucht werden, welche Personen von ungesättigten n-3-Fettsäuren profitieren und welche nicht. Künftige Studien sollten ungesättigte n-3-Fettsäuren auch mit der üblichen Behandlung mit Antidepressiva vergleichen und untersuchen, wann und wie diese Therapien nützen.

Anmerkungen zur Übersetzung

Freigegeben durch Cochrane Schweiz.

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