Effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis with meta‐regression
Abstract
We aimed to determine if omega‐3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation significantly reduces cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with established CV disease or at high CV risk.
We conducted a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL. The results of our analyses were presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled using a random effects model. Meta‐regression bubble plots were generated to visualise the results of the analysis, while the detailed results were tabulated. A
p
‐value less than‐.05 was considered significant in all cases.
A total of 42 studies (176 253 participants) were included in our analysis. The pooled analysis demonstrates that omega‐3 FA are associated with a significant reduction in CV mortality (
p
=‐.02), CV disease (
p
=‐.03), coronary heart disease (CHD) (
p
=‐.007), myocardial infarction (MI) (
p
=‐.008), fatal MI (
p
=‐.0004) and revascularisation (
p
=‐.003), and a significant increase in atrial fibrillation (
p
=‐.01), and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (
p
=‐.02). Subgroup analysis demonstrated a significant improvement with EPA monotherapy compared to EPA+DHA combination therapy in the risk of CV mortality (
p
= 0.01), CVD events (
p
<‐.00001), MACE (
p
< .00001), CHD (
p
< .00001), MI (
p
<‐.00001), fatal MI (
p
=‐.004) and revascularisation (
p
<‐.0001). EPA monotherapy was associated with a significant increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation (
p
=‐.01). Regression analysis…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, 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: 176 participants or records.
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