Effectiveness of Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation for Reducing Uremic Pruritus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Background: Uremic pruritus is a distressing and common symptom in patients with end-stage renal disease. The development of uremic pruritus involves a multifactorial pathogenesis, including systemic inflammation, dysregulated immune responses, and altered opioid receptor activity. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been reported to mitigate uremic pruritus symptoms. Among omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been reported as potential candidates for alleviating uremic pruritus due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: A meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in alleviating uremic pruritus among patients affected with end-stage renal disease. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges' g with a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore influencing factors. Results: A total of 266 participants were included for analysis. Omega-3 supplementation significantly reduced pruritus severity compared with placebo. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to exclude a single large trial contributing to the results. Meta-regression indicated that higher EPA, DHA, and total omega-3 dosages, and longer treatment duration, were associated with reduced severity of the uremic pruritus than the placebo. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 266 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Promising Sources of Plant-Derived Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Narrative Review
- Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in patients with chronic kidney disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cognition: an updated systematic review of randomized clinical trials
- The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A narrative review
- Paucity of evidence for a relationship between long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review
- Omega-3 fatty acid nanocarriers: Characterization and potential applications
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.