title: Low levels of docosahexaenoic acid identified in acute coronary syndrome patients with depression.
abstract: As deficiencies in n-3 PUFAs have been linked separately to depression and to cardiovascular disease, they could act as a higher order variable contributing to the established link between depression and cardiovascular disease. We therefore examine the relationship between depression and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), including total n-3 PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Plasma phospholipid levels of n-3 PUFA were measured in 100 patients hospitalized with ACS. Current major depressive episode was assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Depression severity was assessed by the 18-item Depression in the Medically Ill (DMI-18) measure. Patients clinically diagnosed with current depression had significantly lower mean total n-3 PUFA and DHA levels. Higher DMI-18 depression severity scores were significantly associated with lower DHA levels, with similar but non-significant trends observed for EPA and total n-3 PUFA levels. The finding that low DHA levels were associated with depression variables in ACS patients may explain links demonstrated between cardiovascular health and depression, and may have prophylactic and treatment implications.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia. g.parker@unsw.edu
authors.forename: Gordon B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Gabriella A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Heruc
authors.forename: Therese M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olley
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brotchie
authors.forename: Dusan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hadzi-Pavlovic
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.forename: Warren F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stocker
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids