Effect of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on reduction of depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive pregnant women: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial

Rose Okoyo Opiyo; Peter Suwirakwenda Nyasulu; Reuben Kamau Koigi; Anne Obondo; Dorington Ogoyi; Wambui Kogi-Makau

doi:10.1186/s12991-018-0220-4

Effect of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on reduction of depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive pregnant women: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial

Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2018 Nov 26:17:49. doi: 10.1186/s12991-018-0220-4. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Rose Okoyo Opiyo^{1

2}, Peter Suwirakwenda Nyasulu³, Reuben Kamau Koigi⁴, Anne Obondo⁵, Dorington Ogoyi⁶, Wambui Kogi-Makau²

Affiliations

¹ 1School of Public Health, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, 00100 Kenya.
² 6Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, 00100 Kenya.
³ 2Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
⁴ 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, 00100 Kenya.
⁵ 4Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, 00100 Kenya.
⁶ P.O.Box 52428, Nairobi, 00200 Kenya.

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.Trial Registration Clinical Trial Registry: NCT01614249. Registered on June 5, 2012. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01614249.

Keywords: Depression; Fish oil; HIV infection; Omega-3; Pregnancy; RCT.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01614249

Grants and funding

Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom