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Serum polyunsaturated fatty acids are not associated with the risk of severe depression in middle-aged Finnish men: Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate whether serum n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) or n − 6 to n − 3 ratio is associated with risk of severe depression in middle-aged Finnish men.

Methods

The association between the serum concentrations of fatty acids and depression was investigated in 2077 men aged 42–60 years at baseline in a prospective follow-up setting. The population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study cohort was recruited between 1984 and 1989 and followed until the end of 2007. The baseline levels of serum total n − 3 PUFAs, n − 6 PUFAs and individual fatty acids were determined. Data on hospital treatments due to major depressive disorder were derived from the national hospital discharge register.

Results

During the average follow-up time of 18 years, 46 men received a discharge diagnosis of depression. When the Cox proportional hazards model was adjusted for age, examination year, baseline socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption, smoking, maximal oxygen uptake and body mass index, there was no association between serum total n − 3 PUFAs and the risk of depression [relative risk (RR) in the highest compared to the lowest tertile 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38; 1.43]. Serum concentrations of n − 6 PUFAs, n6/n3 PUFA ratio, or individual fatty acids were not associated with the risk of severe depression, either.

Conclusions

We did not find evidence that serum n − 3 PUFA concentration or n − 6/n − 3 ratio would be associated with risk of severe depression in middle-aged Finnish men.

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Abbreviations

AA:

Arachidonic acid, C20:4n − 6

ALA:

Alpha-linolenic acid, C18:3n − 3

BMI:

Body mass index

CES-D:

Center for epidemiological studies depression scale

CI:

Confidence interval

CV:

Coefficient of variation

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid, C22:6n − 3

DPA:

Docosapentaenoic acid, C22:5n − 3

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5n − 3

HPL:

Human population laboratory

LA:

Linoleic acid, C18:2n − 6

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acid

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

RR:

Relative risk

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Acknowledgments

The present work was supported by Finnish Graduate School of Psychiatry, Juho Vainio Foundation and Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation. None of the authors had a personal or financial conflict of interests. We especially thank the previous and present personnel and administration of the Research Institute of Public Health, University of Eastern Finland, without them this work could not have been accomplished.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Anu Ruusunen, Jyrki K. Virtanen, Jussi Kauhanen & Sari Voutilainen

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210, Kuopio, Finland

    Soili M. Lehto & Tommi Tolmunen

  3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Soili M. Lehto

Authors
  1. Anu Ruusunen
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  2. Jyrki K. Virtanen
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  3. Soili M. Lehto
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  4. Tommi Tolmunen
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  5. Jussi Kauhanen
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  6. Sari Voutilainen
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Correspondence to Anu Ruusunen.

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Ruusunen, A., Virtanen, J.K., Lehto, S.M. et al. Serum polyunsaturated fatty acids are not associated with the risk of severe depression in middle-aged Finnish men: Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study. Eur J Nutr 50, 89–96 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0118-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0118-7

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