Eicosapentaenoic acid interventions in schizophrenia: meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled studies.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials
PubMed 22367656 · doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e318248b7bb
What was done
Meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials evaluating purified or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-enriched oils as augmentation therapy for established schizophrenia. The effect size of EPA on psychotic symptoms was measured using Hedges' g. Publication bias, heterogeneity (Q statistic, I index), and moderators (age, sex, EPA dose) were evaluated.
What was found
The pooled database included 168 subjects in the EPA arm (mean age 37 [SD 7.9] years; 36% females) and 167 subjects in the placebo arm (mean age 37 [SD 9.7] years; 37% females). EPA augmentation showed no consistent significant effect on psychotic symptoms (Hedges' g = 0.242; 95% confidence interval, 0.028-0.512; Z = 1.7531, P > 0.05). Age, sex, and EPA dose showed no significant moderator effects. Heterogeneity across studies was small and non-significant (Q = 9.06; P = 0.170; I = 33.81).
Why it matters
The findings indicate that adding EPA to standard treatment does not improve psychotic symptoms in established schizophrenia, helping resolve conflicting earlier reports.
Limits
The abstract does not report the number of included studies, and the total sample size across all trials was modest (n = 335). The analysis evaluated only symptomatic outcomes in established schizophrenia and provides no conclusions regarding medium- to long-term effects or relapse prevention in early-course psychosis.
Cited by
- supports Supplementation with at least 1 gram of omega-3 containing EPA per day for 8 to 12 weeks showed modest benefit for early-phase psychosis and schizophrenia, but did not have the same effect for chronic schizophrenia.