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Omega-3 index and type 2 diabetes: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Muqueet Ma, Ke-Lei Li, Huijuan Zheng, Ya-Li Dou, Li-Yao Han, Ling Wang

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 2021

1,357 participants · 9 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The relationship between omega-3 index and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is not well established. It is unclear if the change of omega-3 index will affect T2D. Aiming of the present systematic review was to elucidate the correlation between omega-3 index and T2D.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

A comprehensive search on PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science (from 1948 to May 2021) was conducted. The overall effect size (standard mean difference) was combined using a random-effect model.

RESULTS

Eight eligible case-control studies were identified, and there were 1,357 patients with T2D and 1,616 non-diabetic controls. The result showed that the omega-3 index was significantly lower in diabetic cases than that in controls (SMD= -1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.40, -1.22), but with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 99.0%). In subgroup analysis based on race, a negative correlation was found in Asians (SMD = -1.71; 95% CI: -1.82, -1.60), and heterogeneity was substantially decreased (I2=0).

CONCLUSIONS

omega-3 index is negatively correlated with T2D, which indicated that increased dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids might have beneficial on T2D prevention.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. 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: 1,357 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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