Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Duarte-Garcia A, et al
Published in Autoimmunity Reviews
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials from database inception to January 2020 comparing omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with placebo or standard of care in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus; effects pooled as standardised mean differences and converted onto the SLEDAI scale.
Key Findings
This meta-analysis pooled five randomised trials of omega-3 fatty acids in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus, comparing 138 treated with 136 controls, with follow-up from 12 to 52 weeks and doses of 3 g per day or less. Omega-3 reduced disease activity with a standardised mean difference of -0.33 (95% CI -0.57 to -0.09), rated low certainty evidence. Translated onto the SLEDAI scale this equals a reduction of 0.9 points (95% CI -1.6 to -0.3) with no heterogeneity between trials (I-squared 0%). The authors suggest a possible therapeutic benefit alongside standard immunosuppressive treatment.
Conclusions
This meta-analysis suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could provide therapeutic benefit in addition to immunosuppressive regimens used for SLE.
Limitations
Only 274 patients across five small trials, with the certainty of evidence rated low; a 0.9-point SLEDAI reduction is small and of uncertain clinical importance, and doses and follow-up durations varied widely.
Supplements Studied
This meta-analysis suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could provide therapeutic benefit in addition to immunosuppressive regimens used for SLE.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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