Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in the Treatment of Uremic Pruritus among Dialytic Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pruritus is a common and disabling symptom affecting as much as 50-90% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing dialysis. The pruritus experienced by these patients is often resistant to common anti-pruritic agents and has an overall negative impact on quality of life. With its antioxidant property and anti-inflammatory effects, omega-3 fatty acids have been used to alleviate pruritus. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in reducing the severity of pruritus among dialytic CKD patients.
METHODS: Various electronic databases were searched from inception to August 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of omega-3 fatty acids versus placebo on the pruritus scores were included. The studies were independently assessed by three reviewers. Revman version 5.4 was used to analyze the data extracted from the studies while heterogeneity was evaluated using Chi2 and I2.
RESULTS: A total of four studies with a population of 166 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results show an overall beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids with a standardized mean difference of -1.40 (CI -1.74 to -1.05, Z=7.95, p value <0.00001). With a Chi2 of 2.91 (p=0.41) and I2 of 0%, there was no significant heterogeneity observed in the pooled analysis.
CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of the meta-analysis support the finding that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may have a beneficial…
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: 166 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.