The Omega-3 Index and relative risk for coronary heart disease mortality: Estimation from 10 cohort studies

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#biomarkers #cohort-studies #coronary-disease #diet-healthy #docosahexaenoic-acids

The Omega-3 Index and relative risk for coronary heart disease mortality: Estimation from 10 cohort studies

Harris et al., 2017 | Atherosclerosis | Meta Analysis

Citation

Harris William S, Del Gobbo Liana, Tintle Nathan L. The Omega-3 Index and relative risk for coronary heart disease mortality: Estimation from 10 cohort studies. Atherosclerosis. 2017-Jul;262:51-54. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.05.007

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A recent 19-cohort meta-analysis examined the relationships between biomarkers of omega-3 fatty acids and risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). That study did not, however, report hazard ratios (HRs) specifically as a function of erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic (DHA) levels, a metric called the Omega-3 Index in which EPA + DHA content is expressed as a percent of total fatty acids. The Omega-3 Index has been used in several recent studies and is a validated biomarker of omega-3 fatty acid tissue levels, but additional data are needed to confirm (or refute) the originally-proposed clinical cut-points of <4% (higher risk) and 8%-12% (lower risk). METHODS: The present study was therefore undertaken using published data from this meta-analysis to estimate HRs per 1-SD increase in the Omega-3 Index and median quintile values for this metric across 10 of the cohorts for which the needed data were available. RESULTS: The overall mean (SD) for the Omega-3 Index in these 10 cohort studies was 6.1% (2.1%), and the HR for a 1-SD increase was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.91). Median quintile 1 and 5 levels were 4.2% vs. 8.3%, respectively. Based on these values, we estimate that risk for fatal CHD would have been reduced by about 30% moving from an Omega-3 Index of 4%-8%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the use of <4% and >8% as reasonable therapeutic targets for the Omega-3 Index.

Key Findings

The overall mean (SD) for the Omega-3 Index in these 10 cohort studies was 6.1% (2.1%), and the HR for a 1-SD increase was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.91). Median quintile 1 and 5 levels were 4.2% vs. 8.3%, respectively. Based on these values, we estimate that risk for fatal CHD would have been reduced by about 30% moving from an Omega-3 Index of 4%-8%.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Cohort Studies
  • Coronary Disease
  • Diet, Healthy
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Erythrocytes
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Protective Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: omega-3

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09