A meta-analysis has found that, compared with placebo, omega-3 supplements did not improve depression scores in those with cardiometabolic disease
Omega-3 supplements given to patients with cardiometabolic disease and who experience depression do not produce a meaningful improvement in depression scores compared to placebo. This was the conclusion from a systematic review and meta-analysis by researchers from Leicester, UK.
The term cardiometabolic disease encompasses cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic renal failure, and which are the top causes of death across the world. Among individuals with cardiometabolic disease, the presence of co-morbid mental health conditions, such as depression, have been found to increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality.
Moreover, cardiometabolic diseases can give rise to depression, as evidenced by the fact that 28% of patients attending a cardiac rehabilitation clinic were found to be suffering from depression. Patients with depression can be easily treated with antidepressants although there is tentative evidence that the use of antidepressants can increase the risk of both cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease.
One dietary alternative to medical therapy is the use of omega-3 supplements with some data showing that the use of these supplements improved depression symptoms among patients with HIV.
Furthermore and more widely, a 2019 meta-analysis of the use of omega-3 supplements concluded that these supplements have a beneficial effect on depression.
Nevertheless, whether the use of omega-3 supplements in patients with cardiometabolic diseases, and who are depressed, is an effective treatment has not been examined and was the subject of the present analysis.
The UK team undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind, randomised trials, in which the supplements were used, to determine the impact on depression scores in this population. The primary outcome was the mean change in depression scores at the point of follow-up.
Omega-3 supplements and depression scores
Only 7 trials were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis which reported on the outcome for 2,574 participants (74% male) with diabetes, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, heart failure and a recent acute myocardial infarction.
All of the trials used omega-3 supplements with doses ranging from 1000 to 3000mg and for 10, 12 or 48 weeks.
Overall, 6 of the 7 trials recorded no statistically significant improvement compared to placebo (p > 0.05) at the end of the intervention. In the one trial where an improvement did occur, there was a 34% reduction in Beck Depression Inventory scale score (p < 0.05).
Commenting on the trials the authors described how they had focused on randomised trials to reduce the risk of bias but despite this restriction, several of the trials were ranked as either ‘moderate’ or ‘high’ for risks of bias.
They concluded that while omega-3 supplements appeared to be safe, the available data did not suggest that such supplements would reduce depression scores in patients with cardiometabolic diseases.
Citation
Arsenyadis F et al. The Effects of Omega-3 Supplementation on Depression in Adults with Cardiometabolic Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomised Control Trials Nutrients 2022.
