Dataset Information

Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Meta-analysis of 10 Trials Involving 77 917 Individuals.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Current guidelines advocate the use of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids supplements for the prevention of coronary heart disease and major vascular events in people with prior coronary heart disease, but large trials of omega-3 fatty acids have produced conflicting results.

Objective

To conduct a meta-analysis of all large trials assessing the associations of omega-3 fatty acid supplements with the risk of fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease and major vascular events in the full study population and prespecified subgroups.

Data sources and study selection

This meta-analysis included randomized trials that involved at least 500 participants and a treatment duration of at least 1 year and that assessed associations of omega-3 fatty acids with the risk of vascular events.

Data extraction and synthesis

Aggregated study-level data were obtained from 10 large randomized clinical trials. Rate ratios for each trial were synthesized using observed minus expected statistics and variances. Summary rate ratios were estimated by a fixed-effects meta-analysis using 95% confidence intervals for major diseases and 99% confidence intervals for all subgroups.

Main outcomes and measures

The main outcomes included fatal coronary heart disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, major vascular events, and all-cause mortality, as well as major vascular events in study population subgroups.

Results

Of the 77 917 high-risk individuals participating in the 10 trials, 47 803 (61.4%) were men, and the mean age at entry was 64.0 years; the trials lasted a mean of 4.4 years. The associations of treatment with outcomes were assessed on 6273 coronary heart disease events (2695 coronary heart disease deaths and 2276 nonfatal myocardial infarctions) and 12 001 major vascular events. Randomization to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (eicosapentaenoic acid dose range, 226-1800 mg/d) had no significant associations with coronary heart disease death (rate ratio [RR], 0.93; 99% CI, 0.83-1.03; P = .05), nonfatal myocardial infarction (RR, 0.97; 99% CI, 0.87-1.08; P = .43) or any coronary heart disease events (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.90-1.01; P = .12). Neither did randomization to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation have any significant associations with major vascular events (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.93-1.01; P = .10), overall or in any subgroups, including subgroups composed of persons with prior coronary heart disease, diabetes, lipid levels greater than a given cutoff level, or statin use.

Conclusions and relevance

This meta-analysis demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids had no significant association with fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease or any major vascular events. It provides no support for current recommendations for the use of such supplements in people with a history of coronary heart disease.

SUBMITTER: Aung T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5885893 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundThe health benefits of ω-3 (n-3) fatty acids are well established. Only a small percentage of Americans consume the recommended amounts of fatty fish, the main dietary source of ω-3 fatty acids, and most have low ω-3 fatty acid blood concentrations.ObjectiveWe aimed to measure biomarkers of long-chain ω-3 fatty acid (EPA and DHA) status among family physicians, and determine whether having their ω-3 status tested would influence attitudes and patient recommendations.MethodsFamily physicians attending a medical conference (n = 340) completed an ω-3 intake survey and had a finger stick blood sample taken. ω-3 Index, percentage of ω-6 (%n-6) in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), and EPA:arachidonic acid (AA) ratio were calculated from whole blood fatty acid profiles. Post-conference, a subsample of participants (n = 100) responded to a survey regarding attitudes and recommendations about ω-3s.ResultsAverage age (mean ± SEM) of participants was 48.0 ± 0.7 y and 59% were women. Average ω-3 Index was 5.2% ± 0.1%, %n-6 in HUFA was 75% ± 0.4%, and EPA:AA ratio was 0.076 ± 0.004. 57% of family physicians reported consuming <2 servings/wk of fatty fish, and 78% reported using ω-3 supplements ≤1/wk. Although 51% believed ω-3 status was in a desirable range, only 5% had an ω-3 Index ≥8%. Biomarkers of ω-3 status were significantly associated with fatty fish intake and supplement use, and were correlated (R2 ranging from 0.59 to 0.77). Physicians who had ω-3 status tested (n = 65) were more likely to agree with statements affirming the health benefits of ω-3 fatty acids and more willing to recommend ω-3 fatty acids to their patients (P = 0.004).ConclusionsBlood concentrations of ω-3 fatty acids in family physicians were below recommendations, and were associated with fatty fish intake and ω-3 supplement use. There was a discrepancy between perceived and actual ω-3 status. Increased awareness of personal ω-3 status among physicians may facilitate patient communication and recommendations about ω-3 fatty acid intake. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as, NCT03056898.

Project description:ObjectiveThere has been a dramatic increase in the use of dietary supplements in Western societies over the past decades. Our understanding of the prevalence of ?-3 fatty acid supplement consumption is of significance for future nutrition planning, health promotion and care delivery. However, we know little about ?-3 fatty acid supplement consumption or users. This paper, drawing upon the largest dataset with regard to ?-3 fatty acid supplement use (n=266 848), examines the use and users of this supplement among a large sample of older Australians living in New South Wales.DesignA cross-sectional study. Data were analysed from the 45 and Up Study, the largest study of healthy ageing ever undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere.SettingNew South Wales, Australia.Participants266 848 participants of the 45 and Up Study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants' use of ?-3, demographics (geographical location, marital status, education level, income and level of healthcare insurance) and health status (quality of life, history of smoking and alcohol consumption, health conditions) were measured.ResultsOf the 266 848 participants, 32.6% reported having taken ?-3 in the 4 weeks prior to the survey. Use of ?-3 fatty acid supplements was higher among men, non-smokers, non-to-mild (alcoholic) drinkers, residing in a major city, having higher income and private health insurance. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, high cholesterol and anxiety and/or depression were positively associated with ?-3 fatty acid supplement use, while cancer and high blood pressure were negatively associated with use of ?-3 fatty acid supplements.ConclusionsThis study, analysing data from the 45 and Up Study cohort, suggests that a considerable proportion of older Australians consume ?-3 fatty acid supplements. There is a need for primary healthcare practitioners to enquire with patients about this supplement use and for work to ensure provision of good-quality information for patients and providers with regard to ?-3 fatty acid products.

Dataset Information

Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Meta-analysis of 10 Trials Involving 77 917 Individuals.

Importance

Objective

Data sources and study selection

Data extraction and synthesis

Main outcomes and measures

Results

Conclusions and relevance

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Dataset Information

Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Meta-analysis of 10 Trials Involving 77 917 Individuals.

Importance

Objective

Data sources and study selection

Data extraction and synthesis

Main outcomes and measures

Results

Conclusions and relevance

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Meta-analysis of 10 Trials Involving 77 917 Individuals.