Effects of omega-3 supplementation on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#arthritis-rheumatoid #humans #fatty-acids-omega-3 #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #dietary-supplements

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Wang et al., 2024 | Clin Rheumatol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wang Wen, Xu Yan, ... Zang Yinshan. Effects of omega-3 supplementation on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Rheumatol. 2024-Aug;43(8):2479-2488. doi:10.1007/s10067-024-07040-0

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Omega-3 possesses anti-inflammatory and lipid metabolism modifying effects in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but inconsistency exists among previous studies. This meta-analysis intended to explore the effects of omega-3 supplementation on fatty acid distribution, blood lipid profiles, inflammation, and disease activity in RA patients. METHODS: This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched until August 31, 2023. RESULTS: Eighteen randomized controlled trials with 1018 RA patients were included. Regarding fatty acid distribution, omega-3 supplementation increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46, 1.01; P < 0.001] and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) (SMD: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.89; P < 0.001), but reduced omega-6:omega-3 ratio (SMD: -1.06; 95% CI: -1.39, -0.73; P < 0.001) in RA patients. Regarding blood lipid, omega-3 supplementation decreased triglyceride (TG) in RA patients (SMD: -0.47; 95% CI: -0.78, -0.16; P = 0.003). Regarding clinical symptoms, omega-3 supplementation reduced tender joint count (TJC) in RA patients (SMD: -0.59; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.39; P < 0.001). Notably, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and disease activity score on 28 joints (DAS28) score were slightly decreased by omega-3 supplementation but without statistical significance (all P > 0.05). Publication bias was low, and stability assessed by sensitivity analysis was good. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation increases EPA and DHA, but reduces the omega-6:omega-3 ratio, TG, and TJC in RA patients.

Key Findings

Eighteen randomized controlled trials with 1018 RA patients were included. Regarding fatty acid distribution, omega-3 supplementation increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46, 1.01; P < 0.001] and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) (SMD: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.89; P < 0.001), but reduced omega-6:omega-3 ratio (SMD: -1.06; 95% CI: -1.39, -0.73; P < 0.001) in RA patients. Regarding blood lipid, omega-3 supplementation decreased trigl

Outcomes Measured

  • C-reactive protein
  • inflammatory markers

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid
  • Humans
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Inflammation

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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