Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with recurrent self-harm

British Journal of Psychiatry
Q1
Feb 2007
Citations:138
Influential Citations:6
Interventional (Human) Studies
86
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Enhanced Details

Methods
Single-centre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; 49 adults aged 16–64 with recurrent self-harm; randomized to active n-3 EFAs (n=22) or placebo (n=27); standard psychiatric care continued; 12-week duration.
Intervention
EPA 1.2 g/day + DHA 0.9 g/day (total ~2.1 g/day), given as four capsules daily (each capsule contains 305 mg EPA and 227 mg DHA), taken in the morning for 12 weeks.
Results
Significant improvements in depressive symptoms and suicidality with n-3 EFAs after 12 weeks (BDI p=0.004; HRSD p=0.045; perceived stress p=0.021; daily hassles p=0.027; suicidality OAS-M p=0.02); impulsivity and aggression showed no between-group differences; a larger proportion achieved meaningful improvement in depression and suicidality; no completed suicides occurred; improvements persisted through the study. Authors conclude substantial reductions in surrogate markers of suicidal behavior and better well-being with n-3 EFAs; larger multicentre trials are needed to confirm effects and to assess whether low dietary n-3 intake is a reversible risk factor for self-harm.
Limitations
Small, single-centre trial (n=49) with 12-week duration; not powered to detect self-harm recurrence or completed suicide; baseline differences (e.g., marital status) and high psychiatric comorbidity with varied psychotropic medications; reliance on surrogate outcome measures; generalizability to other populations is uncertain.

Abstract

Background Trials have demonstrated benefits of long-chain omega-3 essential fatty acid (n-3 EFA) supplementation in a variety of psychiatric disorders. Aims To assess the efficacy of n-3 EFAs in improving psychological well-being in patients with re...