IngentaConnect Randomized dose-ranging pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids for po...

Authors: Freeman, M. P.; Hibbeln, J. R.¹; Wisner, K. L.²; Brumbach, B. H.³; Watchman, M.; Gelenberg, A. J.⁴

Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Volume 113, Number 1, January 2006 , pp. 31-35(5)

Abstract:

Freeman MP, Hibbeln JR, Wisner KL, Brumbach BH, Watchman M, Gelenberg AJ. Randomized dose-ranging pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids for postpartum depression. <br />Acta Psychiatr Scand 2005: 1–5. © 2005 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objective:

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10–15% of mothers. Omega-3 fatty acids are an intriguing potential treatment for PPD. Method:

The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for PPD was assessed in an 8-week dose-ranging trial. Subjects were randomized to 0.5 g/day (n = 6), 1.4 g/day (n = 3), or 2.8 g/day (n = 7). Results:

Across groups, pretreatment Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) mean scores were 18.1 and 19.1 respectively; post-treatment mean scores were 9.3 and 10.0. Percent decreases on the EPDS and HRSD were 51.5% and 48.8%, respectively; changes from baseline were significant within each group and when combining groups. Groups did not significantly differ in pre- or post-test scores, or change in scores. The treatment was well tolerated. Conclusion:

This study was limited by small sample size and lack of placebo group. However, these results support further study of omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for PPD.

Keywords: postpartum period; depression; omega-3 fatty acids

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00660.x

Affiliations: 1: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 2: Department of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center 3: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, AZ, USA 4: Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine

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