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The effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a
G L Nielsen1, K L Faarvang, B S Thomsen
1Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Study Objective:
To determine the effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on disease variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Design:
Multicenter, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind.
Setting:
Three Danish hospital Departments of Rheumatology.
Patients:
Fifty-one patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
Intervention:
Random allocation to 12 weeks of treatment with either six n-3 PUFA capsules (3.6 g) or six capsules with fat composition as the average Danish diet.
Main Results:
Significant improvement of morning stiffness and joint tenderness. No significant effect on the four other assessed clinical parameters. No serious side effects.
Conclusions:
Dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis improved two out of six patient reported disease parameters. Further studies are needed to clarify the more precise role of n-3 PUFA in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.