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Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Patients with Lower Extremity Arterial Disease

Su MI, Cheng YC, Huang YC, Liu CW

Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 2022

1,852 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplements are used to treat lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD), but their effects on patient outcomes remain controversial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of omega-3 PUFA supplements on outcomes in LEAD patients.

DESIGN: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before February 2020 in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Three researchers extracted the study design, sample size, omega-3 PUFA dosage, and patient characteristics. A random-effects model was used. The primary outcomes were the mean change in the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and pain-free and maximal walking distance. The secondary outcomes were the mean changes in triglycerides and other lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, blood pressure, flow-mediated vasodilatation, and incidence of cardiovascular events.

RESULTS: Sixteen RCTs and 1,852 patients were analyzed. Most of the included RCTs had a low risk of bias. The grade quality was moderate in ABI, C-reactive protein, and cardiovascular events; very low in triglyceride; and low in the other outcomes. The use of omega-3 PUFAs was not significantly associated with the primary outcomes, but it was significantly associated with a reduced triglyceride level, with a moderate effect size (Hedges' g=-0.34, 95% CI [-0.55-0.13], p 2 g per day were associated with reduced levels of triglycerides.…

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: 1,852 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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