Circulating Docosahexaenoic Acid and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality

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#humans #docosahexaenoic-acids #cause-of-death #eicosapentaenoic-acid #prospective-studies

Circulating Docosahexaenoic Acid and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality

O'Keefe et al., 2024 | Mayo Clin Proc | Meta Analysis

Citation

O'Keefe Evan L, O'Keefe James H, ... Harris William S. Circulating Docosahexaenoic Acid and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality. Mayo Clin Proc. 2024-Apr;99(4):534-541. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.11.026

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a marine omega-3 fatty acid, with long-term all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, and cancer mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from UK Biobank, which included 117,702 subjects with baseline plasma DHA levels and 12.7 years of follow-up between April 2007 and December 2021. Associations with risk for mortality endpoints were analyzed categorically by quintile of DHA plasma levels. RESULTS: Comparing the lowest to highest quintiles of circulating levels of DHA, there was 21% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.85; P<.0001). In a secondary analysis, we merged the UK Biobank findings with those from a recent FORCE (Fatty Acid and Outcome Research Consortium) meta-analysis that included 17 prospective cohort studies and 42,702 individuals examining DHA and mortality associations. The cumulative sample population included 160,404 individuals and 24,342 deaths during a median of 14 years of follow-up. After multivariable adjustment for relevant risk factors comparing the lowest to the highest quintiles of DHA, there was 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.87; P<.0001), 21% lower risk for CV disease mortality (95% CI, 0.73 to 0.87; P<.001), 17% lower risk for cancer mortality (95% CI, 0.77 to 0.89; P<.0001), and 15% lower risk for all other mortality (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.91; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Higher DHA levels were associated with significant risk reductions in all-cause mortality, as well as reduced risks for deaths due to CV disease, cancer, and all other causes. The findings strengthen the hypothesis that DHA, a marine-sourced omega-3, may support CV health and lifespan.

Key Findings

Comparing the lowest to highest quintiles of circulating levels of DHA, there was 21% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.85; P<.0001). In a secondary analysis, we merged the UK Biobank findings with those from a recent FORCE (Fatty Acid and Outcome Research Consortium) meta-analysis that included 17 prospective cohort studies and 42,702 individuals examining DHA and mortality associations. The cumulative sample population included 160,404 individuals and 24,342 deaths

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population baseline plasma dha levels
Sample Size 117702
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Cause of Death
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Prospective Studies
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Risk Factors
  • Neoplasms

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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