Supplementation with B vitamins or n-3 fatty acids and depressive symptoms in cardiovascular disease survivors: ancillary findings from the SUpplementation with FOLate, vitamins B-6 and B-12 and/or OMega-3 fatty acids (SU.FOL.OM3) randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Dietary factors might affect depressive symptoms.


OBJECTIVE
In secondary data analyses, we examined effects of supplementation with B vitamins or n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids on depressive symptoms in cardiovascular disease survivors.


METHODS
The SUpplementation with FOLate, vitamins B-6 and B-12 and/or OMega-3 fatty acids (SU.FOL.OM3) trial was a secondary prevention trial (2003-2009; n = 2501) in which individuals aged 45-80 y were randomly assigned, by using a 2 × 2 factorial design, to receive 0.56 mg 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate and vitamins B-6 (3 mg) and B-12 (0.02 mg); EPA and DHA (600 mg) in a 2:1 ratio; B vitamins and n-3 fatty acids; or a placebo. Depressive symptoms were evaluated at years 3 and 5 with the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Overall and sex-specific ORs and 95% CIs were estimated in 2000 participants by using factorial logistic regression.


RESULTS
After a median of 4.7 y of supplementation, there was no association between allocation to receive B vitamins and depressive symptoms. However, the allocation to receive n-3 fatty acids was positively associated with depressive symptoms (GDS >10) in men (adjusted OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.61) but not in women.


CONCLUSIONS
We showed no beneficial effects of a long-term, low-dose supplementation with B vitamins or n-3 fatty acids on depressive symptoms in cardiovascular disease survivors. The adverse effects of n-3 fatty acids in men merit confirmation.
Nutritional Epidemiology Research Unit, University of Paris 13, Bobigny, France. v.andreeva@uren.smbh.univ-paris13.fr
Valentina A
VA
Andreeva
Pilar
P
Galan
Marion
M
Torrès
Chantal
C
Julia
Serge
S
Hercberg
Emmanuelle
E
Kesse-Guyot
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D014805:Vitamin B 12; C005984:5-methyltetrahydrofolate