Prophylaxis with omega-3s decreases the risk.
Pretreatment with antidepressants can prevent depression caused by interferon-α (IFN) treatment of hepatitis C and other disorders, but antidepressants can be complicated to use in this setting. To find an alternative prophylaxis, researchers examined the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for just 2 weeks prior to 6 months of treatment with IFN and ribavirin. A total of 162 hepatitis C patients were randomized to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 3.50 g), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 1.75 g), or placebo; 152 completed IFN treatment and were included in the analysis.
Over the course of IFN treatment, the incidence of depression was significantly lower with EPA pretreatment (10%) than with placebo (30%; DHA pretreatment, 28%). When IFN-induced depression did occur, onset was significantly delayed with EPA or DHA pretreatment (12 weeks vs. 5 weeks with placebo). DHA pretreatment increased DHA levels, whereas EPA pretreatment increased both EPA and DHA levels.
COMMENT
Interferon-α increases activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, levels of which are correlated with the risk for IFN-induced depression. Anti-inflammatory effects of EPA, which is metabolized to DHA, may prevent this process. In view of how well omega-3s are tolerated, brief pretreatment with EPA before starting a course of IFN seems indicated as an initial strategy, and antidepressants can be started during treatment if depression does occur.
Note to Readers: At the time that NEJM JW reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent corrections might be made.
Steven Dubovsky, MD reviewing Su K-P et al. Biol Psychiatry 2014 Jan 27.
CITATION(S):
Su K-P et al. Omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of interferon-alpha-induced depression: Results from a randomized, controlled trial. Biol Psychiatry 2014 Jan 27; [e-pub ahead of print].
[Biol Psychiatry abstract]
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