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S085-6 (Coordinator)

Omega-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases Comorbid Depression

Jane (Pei-Chen) Chang, Shih-Sheng Chang, Kuan-Pin Su

China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan

Background/Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are commonly comorbid with depression
and vice versa. Patients with CVDs comorbid depression had been reported to have lower omega-3
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) blood levels than the controls. Hence, we investigate the effect
of omega-3 PUFAs for depression in patients with CVDs.

Method: Twenty-four patients with CVDs comorbid depression were recruited and assessed with
Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD). They are randomized to either receive omega-3 PUFAs
(EPA 2g/d + DHA 1g/d) or placebo for 12 weeks. Their mood and somatic symptoms were assessed,
CVDs markers were measured by electrocardiogram and their red blood cell (RBC) samples were
collected for PUFAs analyses at baseline, week 2,4,8, and 12.

Result: The data of 24 subjects were analyzed; 11 received placebo and 13 received omega-3. The
omega-3 group had lower fatigue level at week 8 and higher EPA and N3 levels at the end of the
study. Moreover, the omega-3 group had greater improvement in depressive symptoms (p= 0.005),
and less decrease in EPA levels (p=0.001) at the end of the study.

Conclusion: Omega-3 group had greater improvement in depressive symptoms and EPA levels than
control group in patients with CVDs. Hence, our study findings imply that omega-3 may be a
potential treatment for patients with CVDs comorbid depression.