TABLE 2.
Intent-to-treat analysis
| Parameter | EPA-rich fish oil (n = 39) | DHA-rich fish oil (n = 38) | Placebo (n = 41) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean BDI visit 2, n (SD) | 8.7 (4.2) | 7.0 (4.6) | 6.3 (3.9) | .051a |
| Mean BDI visit 3, n (SD) | 8.2 (5.7) | 6.9 (6.3) | 7.4 (5.5) | .81a |
| Mean BDI visit 5, n (SD) | 6.6 (5.2) | 5.7 (4.8) | 5.9 (6.1) | .78a |
| MDD visit 2, n (%) | 4 (10) | 4 (11) | 0 (0) | > .16b |
| MDD visit 3, n (%) | 2 (5) | 4 (11) | 3 (7) | |
| MDD visit 5, n (%) | 3 (8) | 2 (5) | 2 (5) | |
| Started antidepressant, n (%) | 6 (15) | 7 (18) | 4 (10) | .56c |
| On lowest antidepressant dose, n (%) | 3 (50) | 7 (100) | 3 (75) [1 unknown dose] | .07c |
The BDI included scores in which 0–9 means minimal depressive symptoms, 10–19 means mild to moderate depressive symptoms, 20 or greater means moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Visit 2 was at 26–28 weeks’ gestation; visit 3 was at 34–36 weeks’ gestation; and visit 5 was at 6–8 weeks’ postpartum.
ANOVA, analysis of variance; BDI, Beck Depression Inventory; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; MDD, major depressive disorder; SD, standard deviation.
a
One-way ANOVA adjusted for BDI at enrollment;
b
Generalized estimating equation model;
c
Fisher exact test.