Association between serum omega-3 PUFAs levels and cognitive impairment in never medically treated first-episode patients with geriatric depression: A cross-sectional study

Background: Geriatric depression increases the public health burden and health care costs, reduces quality of life. Studies have shown the association between omega-3 PUFAs levels and inflammatory markers levels and depression, but few have explored the relationship between omega-3 PUFAs, inflammatory markers, and cognitive function in geriatric depression. This study aimed to compare the differences in omega-3 PUFAs levels and inflammatory markers between geriatric depression with cognitive impairment (CI) and those without CI.Methods: A total of three hundred and five elderly patients were recruited. In addition to collecting basic information, their blood specimens were collected to detect serum EPA, DHA, AA, TC, LDL-C, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and hsCRP levels. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), and The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were used to assess their depression, anxiety, and cognitive function, respectively.Results: Compared to those without CI, geriatric depression patients with CI had higher serum TC, LDL-C levels, lower EPA, DHA, and AA levels, and more elevated IL-6, TNF-alpha, and hs-CRP levels (all P < 0.05). Further linear regression analysis showed that EPA, DHA, and TNF-alpha, hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with the occurrence and the severity of CI. Limitations: No causal relationship could be drawn due to the cross-sectional design.Conclusions: Omega-3 PUFAs and inflammatory factors levels may predict CI in elderly patients with MDD in the future. Our findings suggest that omega-3 PUFAs (EPA and DHA) and inflammatory factors (TNF-alpha and CRP) may predict the occurrence and the severity of CI among elderly MDD patients.

Automated summary

The study revealed that elderly patients with geriatric depression and cognitive impairment (CI) had higher serum levels of TC, LDL-C, and inflammatory markers IL-6, TNF-alpha, and hs-CRP, but lower levels of omega-3 PUFAs EPA, DHA, and AA. Linear regression analysis showed significant associations between EPA, DHA, TNF-alpha, hs-CRP levels and the occurrence and severity of CI among these patients.