Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis
Lee YH Arch Med Res, 2012 July; 43(5): 356-62
In a meta-analysis of studies examining the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation (2.7 g/d or greater) for a minimum of 3 months on clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, results from 10 RCTs involving a total of 183 RA patients and 187 placebo-treated RA controls were analyzed.
Results found that subjects treated with omega-3 PUFAs showed a trend towards improvements in tender joint count (SMD -0.214), swollen joint count (SMD -0.170), morning stiffness (SMD -0.224), and physical function (SMD 0.264).
This meta-analysis suggests that the use of omega-3 PUFAs at dosages >2.7 g/day for >3 months reduces NSAID consumption by RA patients. Further studies are needed to explore the clinical and NSAID-sparing effects of omega-3 PUFAs in RA.