Are omega-3 fatty acids safe and effective in acute pancreatitis or sepsis? A systematic review and meta-analysis

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#acute-disease #anti-inflammatory-agents #cytokine-release-syndrome #fatty-acids-omega-3 #humans

Are omega-3 fatty acids safe and effective in acute pancreatitis or sepsis? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wolbrink et al., 2020 | Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wolbrink Daniel R J, Grundsell Jessica R, ... Bouwense Stefan A W. Are omega-3 fatty acids safe and effective in acute pancreatitis or sepsis? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr. 2020-Sep;39(9):2686-2694. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2019.12.006

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is marked by a strong pro-inflammatory response, which may cause a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), organ failure, and death. Early administration of omega-3 fatty acids (FA) may reduce the pro-inflammatory response and improve outcome in AP. A systematic review focusing on the safety and efficacy of omega-3 FA in AP is lacking. AIM: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of an intervention with omega-3 FA in acute pancreatitis and additionally in sepsis. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases including only randomized controlled trials in AP and, for safety endpoints, in sepsis investigating intervention including omega-3 FA without other active components (e.g. addition of glutamine to the intervention). The primary outcome was mortality. RESULTS: After screening 1186 studies, five randomized trials (n = 229) with omega-3 FA in AP were included. In AP patients treated with omega-3 FA within 48 h after hospitalization, a non-significant reduction of mortality was seen (OR 0∙50, 95%CI 0∙13-1∙99, p = 0∙33), compared to controls. In two studies (n = 85), omega-3 FA reduced the risk of new onset of organ failure (OR 0∙33, 95%CI 0∙12-0∙93, p = 0∙04). Nine randomized trials with 312 patients suffering from sepsis (not pancreatitis related) demonstrated a reduced mortality (OR 0∙52, 95%CI 0∙28-0∙97, p = 0·04). None of these 14 randomized trials reported safety concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of omega-3 FA could reduce the risk of new-organ failure in patients with AP. There were no safety issues reported of the early administration of omega-3 FA in any of the included studies. To show the real clinical benefit of omega-3 FA in AP, a large and pragmatic randomized controlled trial is needed.

Key Findings

After screening 1186 studies, five randomized trials (n = 229) with omega-3 FA in AP were included. In AP patients treated with omega-3 FA within 48 h after hospitalization, a non-significant reduction of mortality was seen (OR 0∙50, 95%CI 0∙13-1∙99, p = 0∙33), compared to controls. In two studies (n = 85), omega-3 FA reduced the risk of new onset of organ failure (OR 0∙33, 95%CI 0∙12-0∙93, p = 0∙04). Nine randomized trials with 312 patients suffering from sepsis (not pancreatitis related) demon

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population ap
Sample Size 229
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Pancreatitis
  • Sepsis

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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