Study Results
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View full resultsBasic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
216 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2012-06-30
2014-01-31
Brief Summary
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In this study, it is hypothesized that there is no difference in the levels of depressive symptoms among HIV infected pregnant women who are taking omega-3 fish oil supplements and those taking a placebo.
The study will therefore seek to ascertain that taking omega-3 fish oil nutritional supplement has a significant positive effect on depressive symptoms among HIV infected pregnant women, compared to a placebo.
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Detailed Description
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It has been proven that omega-3 long chain fatty acids, EPA and DHA improve depressive symptoms \[6, 7\]. As a mood disorder, depression is characterized by feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, and generally marked by altered mood. It is not a single disease, but a syndrome encompassing a spectrum of symptoms with multiple causes \[8, 9\]. Women experience at least one episode of minor or major depression during pregnancy and after childbirth. This is however often under-diagnosed, undetected and missed out due to lack of screening. Although screening for depression may not be a routine activity in antenatal care, studies that have screened for depression in pregnancy indicate that 20-30% of pregnant women are depressed \[10, 11\]. The prevalence of depression is high during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy \[12\] when maternal level of omega-3 fatty acids is depleted.
Adequate intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids is also essential, during pregnancy to support normal growth and maturation of many fetal organ systems, particularly the brain and eyes \[13, 14\]. Moreover, long chain omega-3 fatty acids are critical for the development and function of many different organ systems of the fetus, including the structure of the brain and retina of the eye \[15\]. Premature birth and its potential neurological complications may result from omega-3 deficiency \[16\]. Documented research findings on omega-3 fatty acids and human immune-deficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are mainly two-fold: one, on plasma triglycerides levels, and two, on the immune response parameters. Studies have shown that use of omega-3 fatty acids among HIV infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy is well tolerated and effective in reducing the plasma triglyceride levels \[17-19\]. The fish oil has therefore been recommended as second-line therapy for HIV patients with hypertriglyceridemia \[12\]. One of the metabolic end products of long chain fatty acids of omega-3 and omega-6, once eaten and absorbed by the body, are prostaglandin hormones which are responsible for the inflammation response. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids produce less prostaglandin than omega-6 fatty acids, decreasing the inflammatory process \[5\]. Earlier research reported that omega-3 fish oil is immuno-suppressive as it significantly decreased various parameters of the immune response \[20\]. However, more recent studies have shown that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids increased the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell count \[21\] The role of long chain omega-3 fatty acids in combating depression among HIV-seropositive pregnant women has however not been established. The specific symptoms which may be more responsive to omega-3 supplementation have also not been established. Currently, more than 2 million pregnant women are estimated to be living with HIV infection globally. In Kenya, about 9.0% of pregnant women are HIV-seropositive \[22\] and their health conditions as well as that of their unborn babies silently continue to deteriorate partly due to depression related comorbidities. This research will seek to ascertain that taking omega-3 fish oil supplement with higher EPA in relation to DHA can have a significant positive effect on depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive pregnant women compared to a placebo. It will also monitor and identify those depressive symptoms that are more responsive to this nutrient among the HIV-seropositive pregnant women, and can be managed through nutrition supplementation.
Conceptual Framework: The major risk factors for depression are genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalance and stressful events which could be of environmental, social or psychological origin as well as nutrition-related factors \[11, 23-25\]. Stressful events could however also cause hormonal imbalance, which, in the process can increase the stress hormone, cortisol, causing depression \[23\]. Both pregnancy and HIV infection status are also accompanied by high nutrient demand, in the presence of inadequate and inappropriate dietary intake as well as a high intake of saturated fats in fried food. This is likely to contribute to nutrient deficiencies, which also determines the neurotransmitter function and hormonal balance in mental health.
Problem statement: This study seeks to ascertain that taking omega-3 fish oil supplement with higher EPA in relation to DHA have a significant positive effect on depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive pregnant women. The level of omega-3 fatty acids rapidly declines during pregnancy as some of it is transferred to the fetus for the rapid formation of the fetal brain cells \[13\]. The resultant depletion in omega-3 might precipitate the occurrence of depression in pregnant women unless the nutrient deficit is met through dietary intake of omega-3 rich foods or supplementation. The modern diet is however inadequate in long chain omega-3 fatty acids \[5\]. About 40% of HIV-seropositive pregnant women are reportedly depressed \[26, 27\]. The depression in HIV-seropositive pregnant women is a significant public health problem due to its negative effects on both maternal and child health. It may adversely affect the quality of life and adherence to HIV/AIDS medication regimens \[27, 28\] which may subsequently affect disease progression and health outcome \[29\] of the women. Currently, more than 2 million pregnant women are estimated to be living with HIV infection globally \[9\]. In Kenya, about 9.0% of pregnant women are HIV-seropositive \[22\].
Justification of the study: This study will contribute to the debate on nutritional support and management of depressive symptoms and related health complications in HIV infected pregnant women and other vulnerable populations, to improve their mental health, hence improve the quality of life. A reduction in the prevalence of depression could therefore influence nutrition and health agencies as well as policy makers to make omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplement accessible to HIV positive pregnant women and other vulnerable populations.
Overall aim: To ascertain that taking omega-3 fish oil supplement with higher EPA in relation to DHA have a significant positive effect on depressive symptoms compared to a placebo among HIV-seropositive pregnant women.
Research questions: 1.Does taking omega-3 fish oil supplement with higher EPA in relation to DHA have a significant positive effect on depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive pregnant women, compared to a placebo? 2. Is the change in depressive symptom levels among study participants related to the change in their omega-3 fatty acid status after intervention with omega-3 fish oil supplement and placebo? 3. Which depressive symptoms are more responsive to omega-3 fish oil supplement intervention?
Study setting: The study will be conducted at health facilities in Nairobi, Kenya. According to the latest Kenya national population and housing census results of 2009, \[30\], Nairobi, which is the capital city of Kenya, is the most populated city in the country with about 3.1 million people (about 1.6 million males and 1.5 million females) and an annual growth rate of about 4.1%\[16\]. The available sentinel survey data indicate that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women in Nairobi was 10.1% \[31\] in 2006.
Methodology: This will be a double-blind, parallel randomized control trial (RCT) using omega-3 fish oil supplements and placebo. Both the study participants and the research administrators, including the principle investigator, will not know the difference between omega-3 supplement and placebo which will be of similar physical characteristics. Participants will be recruited from purposely sampled health facilities with highest attendance at the Prevention-of Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV AIDS programs. The sampling frame will consist of pregnant women with known HIV-seropositive status and enrolled in PMTCT program at these health facilities. A total of 200 women who meet the study inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled to participate in the study.
Data Collection: Quantitative methods will be used to collect socio-demographic information, dietary intake data, and depressive symptoms, biological specimens of cheek cells, maternal weight, CD4 count, blood pressure and compliance with routine medication and study intervention. The primary measurement tool for efficacy of omega-3 fish oil will be the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II) scoring scale with a cut-off score for depression of 14 or more. Further understanding of depression in pregnancy and HIV/AIDS condition will be gained through qualitative methods. Cheek cell samples will be collected through mouth wash method for laboratory extraction of lipids for omega-3 analysis. The lipids will be extracted from the cheek cells using Bligh and Dyer methodology \[32\]. Gas-liquid chromatography by the method of Gibson and Kneebone \[33\] will be used to determine per cent (%) levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the lipids before, during and after the intervention.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
QUADRUPLE
Study Groups
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Soybean oil soft gels
Participants on this arm will receive a dietary supplement of OmegaVia soybean oil soft gels as a placebo for 8 weeks with bi-weekly follow-up visits to monitor side effects and compliance.
Soybean oil soft gels
Each participant will receive OmegaVia soybean oil soft gels to take orally, one soft gel taken three times per day in the morning, mid-day and in the evening after meals for a period of 8 weeks
Fish oil omega-3 EPA-rich soft gels
Participants will receive OmegaVia fish oil omega-3 EPA-rich soft gels to take orally for eight (8) weeks with bi-weekly follow-up visits for monitoring of side effects and compliance and data collection.
Fish oil omega-3 EPA-rich soft gels
A total of 3.0g of OmegaVia fish oil omega-3 EPA-rich soft gels will be taken orally per day as one soft gel in the morning, mid-day and evening after meals for 8 weeks with bi-weekly follow-up visits.
Interventions
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Soybean oil soft gels
Each participant will receive OmegaVia soybean oil soft gels to take orally, one soft gel taken three times per day in the morning, mid-day and in the evening after meals for a period of 8 weeks
Fish oil omega-3 EPA-rich soft gels
A total of 3.0g of OmegaVia fish oil omega-3 EPA-rich soft gels will be taken orally per day as one soft gel in the morning, mid-day and evening after meals for 8 weeks with bi-weekly follow-up visits.
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Pregnant women who are in their 2nd trimester of pregnancy (Week 13-27).
* Normal nutritional status pregnancy with mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC of 22 cm - 33 cm)at entry into the study;
* Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) Scale scores at entry into the study of 14 or more;
* Pregnant HIV positive women who will give consent to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria
* Pregnant women taking antidepressant medications;
* Those on anti-clotting medication (those with liver disease, varicose veins, peptic ulcers); or Vitamin K supplement. Omega-3 supplements may increase their effects;
* Those on diabetic medication since Omega-3 may increase their blood sugar.
* Incomplete depression screening form (more than 5 items unanswered)
* Those whose BDI-II screening scores are less than 14;
* Those women currently taking omega-3 nutritional supplement
* Pregnant HIV-seropositive women without consent to participate in the study.
15 Years
49 Years
FEMALE
No
Sponsors
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Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA)
UNKNOWN
Innovix Pharma Inc.
UNKNOWN
University of Nairobi
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Rose Okoyo Opiyo
Principal Investigator (PI)
Principal Investigators
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Rose O. Opiyo, MSc
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Nairobi
Locations
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Nairobi City Council Health Facilities
Nairobi, , Kenya
Countries
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References
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Jones, P. and A. Papamandjaris, eds. Lipid: Cellular Metabolism in Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 8th ed. Present Knowledge in Nutrition, ed. B. Bowman and R. Russell2001, ILSI Press: Washington, DC. 104-114.
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Opiyo RO, Nyasulu PS, Koigi RK, Obondo A, Ogoyi D, Kogi-Makau W. Effect of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on reduction of depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive pregnant women: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2018 Nov 26;17:49. doi: 10.1186/s12991-018-0220-4. eCollection 2018.
Other Identifiers
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ECCT/12/03/01
Identifier Type: REGISTRY
Identifier Source: secondary_id
ODR-2011/2012
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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