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Associations of omega-3 fatty acids vs. fenofibrate with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in people with metabolic syndrome: propensity matched cohort study

N. Kim, Ji Yon Kim, Ji-Mi Choi, Sin Gon Kim

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, 2023

39 participants · 12 citations

Abstract

AIMS

Omega-3 fatty acids and fenofibrates have shown some beneficial cardiovascular effects; however, their efficacy has not been compared. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of currently available omega-3 fatty acids and fenofibrate for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

METHODS AND RESULTS

From a nationwide population-based cohort in South Korea (2008-2019), individuals with metabolic syndrome (≥30 years) who received statin with omega-3 fatty acids and those receiving statin with fenofibrate were matched by propensity score (n = 39 165 in both groups). The primary outcome was MACE, including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), ischaemic stroke (IS), and death from cardiovascular causes. The risk of MACE was lower (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.74-0.83) in the fenofibrate group than in the omega-3 fatty acid group. Fenofibrate was associated with a lower incidence of IHD (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.67-0.77) and hospitalisation for heart failure (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97), but not IS (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-1.00) nor death from cardiovascular causes (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.97-1.17). The beneficial effect of fenofibrate compared to omega-3 fatty acids was prominent in patients with preexisting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and those receiving lower doses of omega-3 fatty acids (≤2 g per day).

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-world setting, fenofibrate use was associated with a lower risk of MACE compared with low dose omega-3 fatty acids when added to statins in people…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 39 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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