Background:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients commonly use complementary and alternative medicines. Modern Western diets tend to be rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and relatively lacking in omega-3 PUFAs. Marine oil supplements contain high amounts of omega-3 PUFAs. While both types of PUFAs are substrates for cyclooxygenase enzymes, the eicosanoid metabolites of n-3 PUFAs are less inflammatory and an increase in the ratio of n-3 to n-6 PUFAs in cell membranes is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Methods:
Objectives
To determine the efficacy and safety of marine oil supplements for treating people with RA.
Search Methods
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP Search Portal. References of studies and systematic reviews as well as abstracts from the two major international rheumatology scientific meetings were checked to identify unpublished studies.
Selection Criteria
We selected all published randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials of marine oil supplements in adults (aged 18 or older) with a diagnosis of RA. There were no restrictions on length of follow-up or language of the paper. Studies of marine oil supplements in conjunction with another therapy and all possible variations will be included (dosage, intensity, mode, frequency, duration and timing of delivery).
Data collection and analysis
Two review authors independently screened references, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and evaluated the quality of the evidence using the GRADE instrument. We carried out meta-analyses according to the statistical guidelines in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
Results:
Pending
Conclusions:
Pending