Association of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake with depressive symptoms in midlife women

Abstract

Background: To study the association of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) intake from diet with depressive symptoms in midlife women. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were retrieved from baseline assessment of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were performed to examine the association n-3 PUFA intake with depressive symptoms. Results: A total of 3054 women aged 42–52 years were included in the present study. In overall midlife women, n-3 PUFA intake was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥16) after adjustment for potential confounders. In early perimenopausal women, n-3 PUFA intake was inversely associated with depressive symptoms after adjustment for potential confounders. The fully adjusted OR with 95% CI of depressive symptoms were 0.062 (0.009–0.457) in the highest quartile (n-3 PUFAs intake was categorized by quartiles) compared with the lowest quartile for n-3 PUFA intake. Restricted cubic spline analyses showed that n-3 PUFA intake were dose–response inversely associated with depressive symptoms in early perimenopausal women. However, in premenopausal women, no significant association between depressive symptoms and n-3 PUFA intake was observed. Limitations: This was a cross-sectional study, limiting causal inferences. Conclusion: Dietary n-3 PUFA may be inversely associated with depressive symptoms in early perimenopausal women, but not in premenopausal women.