There is No Association Between the Omega-3 Index and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Heart Disease Who Are Low Fish Consumers.
BACKGROUND
Long chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn3PUFAs) may improve cardiovascular health and depression. This study investigated the relationships between erythrocyte membrane LCn3PUFA status, depression and angina symptoms in patients with heart disease.


METHODS
We recruited 91 patients (65 males and 26 females, mean age 59.2±10.3 years) with heart disease and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, CES-D ≥ 16) and low fish/fish oil intakes. The Omega-3 Index (EPA+DHA) of erythrocyte membranes (as a percentage of total fatty acids) was assessed by gas chromatography. Depression status was measured by both self-report and clinician-report scales; CES-D and the Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D). Angina symptoms were measured using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification for Angina Pectoris.


RESULTS
The mean Omega-3 Index was 4.8±1.0% (±SD). Depression scores measured by CES-D and HAM-D were 29.2±8.8 (moderate to severe) and 11.0±5.7 (mild) (arbitrary units) respectively reflecting a different perception of depressive symptoms between patients and clinicians. Angina status was inversely associated with depression scores (r>-0.26, P<0.03). There were no significant relationships between individual LCn3PUFA or the Omega-3 Index and either the depression scores or the angina symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Worse angina status was associated with worse depression, but the Omega-3 Index was not associated with symptoms of depression or angina in patients with heart disease.
School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Shaoxin
S
Cai
School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: Alison.coates@unisa.edu.au.
Alison M
AM
Coates
School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Jonathan D
JD
Buckley
Acute Care and Cardiovascular Research Group, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, SA, Australia.
Narelle M
NM
Berry
Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Lisa
L
Burres
Central Adelaide Local Health Network, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
John
J
Beltrame
Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Peter R C
PR
Howe
Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Geoffrey
G
Schrader
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017747:Seafood
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
Depression; Heart disease; Omega-3 Index