Positive Health Online

Abstract

THESING and COLLEAGUES, 1 Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Centre, A.J. Ernststraat 1187, 1081 HL, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  c.thesing@ggzingeest.nl ; 2 Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Centre, A.J. Ernststraat 1187, 1081 HL, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  m.bot@ggzingeest.nl ;.3 Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Centre, A.J. Ernststraat 1187, 1081 HL, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. y.milaneschi@ggzingeest.nl ; 4 Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. : E.J.Giltay@lumc.nl .5 Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Centre, A.J. Ernststraat 1187, 1081 HL, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. : b.penninx@vumc.nl studied Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid levels in depressive and anxiety disorders.

Background

Blood levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated to current depression. However, it is unclear whether this association extends to remitted depression and to anxiety disorders. This study examined the relationship of PUFAs with the presence and clinical characteristics of depressive and anxiety disorders.

Methodology

Cross-sectional data was used from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, including persons with current pure depressive disorder (n=304), current pure anxiety disorder (n=548), current comorbid depressive and anxiety disorder (n=529), remitted depressive/anxiety disorder(s) (n=897), and healthy controls (n=634). Clinical characteristics included severity, subtypes, age of onset, duration of depression and anxiety and antidepressant use. Absolute values of omega-3 (N-3) and omega-6 (N-6) PUFAs and relative measures (as ratio of total Fatty Acids: the N-3:FA and N-6:FA ratio) in plasma were assessed using a nuclear magnetic resonance platform.

Results

Compared to controls, current comorbid depressive and anxiety disorder patients had lower N-3 PUFA levels (Cohen's d=0.09, p=0.012), and lower N-3:FA ratios (p=0.002, Cohen's d=0.11) as did current pure depressive disorder patients (Cohen's d=0.13, p=0.021), whereas N-6 PUFA levels were not different. No differences in PUFA levels were found between remitted patients and controls. Within patients, lower N-3 PUFA levels were only associated with higher depression severity (Beta=-0.42, p=0.023), whereas for N-6 PUFA levels and other clinical characteristics no clear association was observed. PUFA alterations were not associated with pure anxiety.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that patients with a current depressive episode (especially the more severe cases with comorbid anxiety) have circulating N-3 PUFA levels lower than those in remission and healthy controls. No relationship was detected for N-6 PUFA levels. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

References

Carisha S Thesing  1 , Mariska Bot  2 , Yuri Milaneschi  3 , Erik J Giltay  4 , Brenda W J H Penninx  5. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid levels in depressive and anxiety disorders.

Psychoneuroendocrinology;87:53-62. Epub Oct 6 2017.  doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.10.005.   Jan 2018.