Evidence Hub

Risk factors associated with plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Chaudhary R, Saadin K, Bliden KP, Harris WS, Dinh B, Sharma T, Tantry US, Gurbel PA

Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids, 2016

433 participants

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine the associations between plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and various cardiovascular risk factors and with the use of fish oil supplements (FOS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing cardiac catheterization (n=433) were studied. Serum fatty acid (FA) composition, the concentrations of lipids and biomarkers of oxidative stress, and dietary/lifestyle factors were measured.

RESULTS: FOS use was associated with a higher plasma EPA+DHA levels (3.7±1.5 vs. 2.6±1.1%, p<0.0001). However, there was no relationship between FOS dose (mg/day) and EPA+DHA levels in 76 patients reporting FOS use (r=-0.21, p=0.07). Lower levels were inversely associated with risk factor profiles including lower ApoB100/ApoA1 ratios (p<0.001).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Higher EPA+DHA levels characterized patients with lower CAD risk. The lack of relations between FOS dose and plasma EPA+DHA levels likely reflects uncaptured variability in EPA+DHA content of supplements.

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: 433 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.

Read the paper

Related studies

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.

Open this study Sign up free