Clinical trial NCT03167307: The Omega-3 Fatty Acid Paediatric Depression Trial
Official title: OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS AS FIRST-LINE TREATMENT IN PAEDIATRIC DEPRESSION. A Phase III, 36-week, Multi-centre, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Randomized Superiority Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE3
Conditions: Depression
Keywords: omega-3 fatty acids
eicosapentaenoic acid
docosahexaenoic acid
antidepressants
suicidality
cognition
childhood depression
pediatric depression
Lead sponsor: Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Swiss National Science Foundation
First posted: 2017-05-25
Enrollment: 257
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 8
Maximum age (years): 18
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: A 36-week, multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized superiority Study.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This study investigates the therapeutic efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acids rich in eicosapentaenoic acid / docosahexaenoic acid in pediatric depression in a nine months double-blind multi-centre study in 220 children and adolescents between 8 and 17 years of age. Inflammatory and bioactive lipid markers as predictors of response are evaluated. The relationship between omega-3 fatty acids with psychopathology, illness course and cognitive parameters will be further investigated.

Detailed description: Background: About 10% teenagers report moderate to marked depressive symptoms and between 1-6% will develop a paediatric major depressive disorder (pMDD) until adulthood. However, evidence-based treatment approaches are sparse and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is heavily debated due to reports of an increase in suicidal ideation and limited efficacy in this age group. Growing evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may be a beneficial treatment in adult MDD (aMDD) with no published study in teenagers, despite of its face validity as a valuable first-line treatment. Meta-analyses of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in aMDD show moderate effect sizes, if the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is \>60% of the total omega-3 fatty acids. One small RCT in prepubertal children shows an even larger effect size in favour of omega-3 fatty acids. Higher inflammatory mediators (e.g. c-reactive protein, interleukins and others) have been reported in aMDD and pMDD. Preliminary data suggests that a proinflammatory state may serve as predictor for omega-3 fatty acids response. Furthermore, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been found in aMDD and pMDD potentially also serving as EPA-response predictors. As MDD is a heterogeneous disease entity, such response predictors should be incorporated into MDD RCTs.

Objective: 1) To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acids rich in EPA in pMDD, 2) to demonstrate clinical meaningful effects of omega-3 fatty acid treatment, 3) to investigate inflammatory and bioactive lipid markers as response predictors, and 4) to investigate the relationship between psychopathology (in particular suicidal ideation), illness course and cognition in relation to inflammatory and bioactive lipid markers. 5.) To establish a tissue repository of phenotypically well characterised children and adolescents with pMDD.

Outcome: The German S3 Guidelines for the treatment of depression in children and youth define the background treatment for all participants. All clinical partners will be trained and monitored accordingly. The primary outcomes are the (continuous) Children's Depression Rating Scale-revised (CDRS-R) total score and the (dichotomous) rates of recovery defined by the absence of pMDD for \>4months at 36 weeks, as well as response and remission rates at 12 and 36 weeks. Inflammatory mediators in serum using immunoassays, red blood cell omega-3, 6, 9 and trans fatty acids using gas chromatography (GC) and bioactive lipid mediators (e.g. E-series resolvin) using mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) will be measured as potential response predictors. Adverse events/ harm endpoints (in particular suicidality) will be coded using MedDRA. Adherence measurements are pill counts, as well as n-3 EPA/DHA levels across the study. Blood samples will be taken at study entry, week 12 and 36.

Study design:A Swiss, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Inclusion / Exclusion criteria:The study aims to recruit a sample of 220 individuals aged 8 -17 years, who are in- or outpatients of a participating centre and have a present primary diagnosis of major depressive disorders with depressive symptom of at least moderate severity. Participants with pre-existing neurological or medical conditions likely to be responsible for the depressive symptoms or other psychopathological diagnoses are excluded.

Measurement and procedures: The study design incorporates a 1-2week screening, a 1-week lead-in and a 36-week double-blind placebo-controlled treatment phase. The severity of the depression and psychosocial functioning will be assessed at baseline and at each study visit (twice in the acute phase and twice in the maintenance phase) using a variety of different questionnaires and rating scales. Cognitive testing and biological markers (blood, urine and saliva) will be sampled at baseline and at 12 and 36 weeks. Adherence to the study will be checked by pill count at each study visit and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) level measurements in red blood cell membranes at baseline, 12 and 36 weeks will be performed.

Study product / Intervention: In the proposed study a daily dose of 500mg EPA/ 250mg DHA in the 8 to \<13 year olds and 1000mg EPA / 500mg DHA in the 13 to \<18 years olds (which corresponds with the omega-3 fatty acid doses used in adult MDD RCTs) is used as an active treatment, respectively. The drug will be administered for 36 weeks. Placebo capsules will contain mostly medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and also a small amount of fish oil to mimic the fishy flavour and taste. All study medication (active and placebo) will use fish derived gelatine capsules and natural orange flavor.

Sample size justification: This clinical trial aims to include 220 participants in total, resulting in 110 participants per treatment group. A sample size calculation was performed based on the effect size of 0.54 found in a previous meta-analysis on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids in aMDD. Sample size calculations were then adjusted for an expected higher placebo-response rate in minors and given the multi-centre design. The analysis resulted that the inclusion of 108 patients per treatment group will achieve 80% or greater power to detect a difference of 20% in response rates between the two treatment groups. The sample of 220 participants exceeds therefore the projected sample size needed to detect a clinical meaningful difference. Participants with no psychopathological follow up data at all will be replaced.

Study duration: The study duration is projected to be about four years and (April 2017 - 2021) for patient recruitment and assessment and another year to finish up all the analysis and generate the final study report.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female in- or outpatients of a participating centre
* Children aged 8 \<13 years or teenager aged 13 to \< 18 years
* Major depressive disorder with depressive symptoms of at least moderate severity
* Written informed consent of the parents / legal representatives and patients' assent

Exclusion Criteria:

* contraindications to the drug
* more than 4 weeks of regular omega-3 supplementation
* pregnant or breastfeeding or intention to become pregnant
* pre-existing neurological or medical conditions likely to be responsible for depressive symptoms
* laboratory screening values considered clinically relevant
* known or suspected non-compliance
* other psychiatric diagnoses (substance dependency, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, eating disorder, mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder)
* inability to follow the procedures of the study
* Participation in another study with omega-3, previous enrolment in the current study, or dependent persons of the investigators

Primary outcomes:
measure: Symptomatic improvement
timeFrame: 9 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Response rate
timeFrame: 6 weeks
measure: Remission rate
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Scale of Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation (IES-27)
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Antidepressant medication
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Children's global assessment scale (CGAS)
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Kidscreen quality of life measure for children and adolescents
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Hospitalization
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Retention rate
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Inflammatory mediators as predictors of response
timeFrame: Baseline values as predictors for response across the trial
measure: Metabolites of EPA as predictors for response
timeFrame: Baseline values as predictors for response across the trial
measure: Omega-3 index as predictors of response
timeFrame: Baseline values as predictors for response across the trial
measure: Depressive Symptoms
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Suicidal ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Relationship between stress, omega-3 fatty acids and saliva cortisol
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Recovery rate
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Remission rate
timeFrame: 3 months
Other outcomes:
measure: Verbal learning and memory test (VLMT)
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Tolerability assessed by the Self-reported Antidepressant Side-Effect Checklist (ASEC)
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Digit span measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV)
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Emotion recognition measured with the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Task (ANT) Program
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Attentional flexibility measured with the shifting attentional set of the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Task (ANT) program
timeFrame: 9 months
measure: Regensburg Word Fluency Test (RWT)
timeFrame: 9 months
Locations:
city: Liestal
country: Switzerland
facility: Psychiatric Services Baselland
state: Baselland
city: Ganterschwil
country: Switzerland
facility: Klinik Sonnenhof
state: St.Gallen
city: Littenheid
country: Switzerland
facility: Clienia Littenheid
state: Thurgau
city: Weinfelden
country: Switzerland
facility: Spital Thurgau Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrischer Dienst
state: Thurgau
city: Zurich
country: Switzerland
facility: Psychiatric University Clinics, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
state: ZH
city: Basel
country: Switzerland
facility: University Psychiatric Services
city: Saint Gallen
country: Switzerland
facility: Stiftung Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrische Dienste St.Gallen
Study officials:
affiliation: Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich KJPP
name: Susanne Walitza, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken (UPK) Basel
name: Klaus Schmeck, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Haberling I, Berger G, Schmeck K, Held U, Walitza S. Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a Treatment for Pediatric Depression. A Phase III, 36 Weeks, Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Superiority Study. Front Psychiatry. 2019 Nov 27;10:863. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00863. eCollection 2019.