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Table 3 Depressive symptoms (EPDS score ≥ 11) during pregnancy and postpartum between fish oil (EPA and DHA) and control groups (T0, T1, T2, and T3)

From: Omega-3 supplementation from pregnancy to postpartum to prevent depressive symptoms: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

  

T0

T1

T2

T3

 

N (%)

Depressive symptoms

p a

Depressive symptoms

p a

Depressive symptoms

p a

Depressive symptoms

p a

 

n

Prevalence

n

Prevalence

n

Prevalence

n

Prevalence

Overall sample

Intention-to-treat

Control

28 (46.7)

14

50.0

 

7

25.0

 

8

28.6

 

7

25.0

 

Fish oil

32 (53.3)

15

46.9

0.809

12

37.5

0.299

11

34.4

0.630

8

25.0

1.000

Per protocol

Control

17 (53.1)

9

52.9

 

4

23.5

 

5

29.4

 

3

17.6

 

Fish oil

15 (46.9)

9

60.0

0.688

8

53.3

0.082

7

46.7

0.314

5

33.3

0.306

Women with previous history of depression

Intention-to-treat

Control

17 (51.5)

9

52.9

 

5

29.4

 

7

41.2

 

7

41.2

 

Fish oil

16 (48.5)

6

37.5

0.373

7

43.8

0.392

7

43.8

0.579

5

31.3

0.554

Per protocol

Control

10 (55.6)

5

50.0

 

3

30.0

 

4

40.0

 

3

30.0

 

Fish oil

8 (44.4)

4

50.0

1.000

5

62.5

0.168

4

50.0

0.671

3

37.5

0.737

  1. Evaluation was conducted at: T0 = 5–13 gestational weeks (cohort baseline); T1 = 22–24 gestational weeks (randomized clinical trial baseline); T2 = 30–32 gestational weeks; T3 = 4–6 weeks’ postpartum.
  2. EPDS Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPA Eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA Docosahexaenoic acid.
  3. ap-value refers to chi-square test or Fisher exact test.