The effectiveness of intervention with omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexenoic acid in peripheral arterial disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Dao TK, Nerlekar N, Nicholls SJ, Bubb KJ
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Nonprofit
- American Heart Association
- Government
- Department of Education and Training
- Government
- Government of Western Australia
- Government
- Australian Government Department of Education
Based on 4 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2025-08-30 · Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · vol. 36 · issue 1 · p. 104286
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 3 citations · more than 63% of similar papers · 0.8× the field average
- References
- 52 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Fatty Acid Research and Health · Peripheral Artery Disease Management · Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Keywords
- Eicosapentaenoic acid, Peripheral, Medicine, Arterial disease, Meta-analysis, Omega, Disease, Internal medicine, Fatty acid, Vascular disease, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Polyunsaturated fatty acid, Physics
- MeSH
- humans, docosahexaenoic acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, treatment outcome, dietary supplements, aged, middle aged, female, male, randomized controlled trials as topic, peripheral arterial disease
4 authors
From AU
- Tu Van DaoAustralian Regenerative Medicine Institute; Monash University
- Nitesh Nerlekar
- Stephen James Nicholls
- Kristen J. Bubb · correspondingAustralian Regenerative Medicine Institute; Monash University
Abstract
Aims
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are routinely recommended as a lifestyle modification for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is not clear if any omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid formulations are favourable for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Data synthesis
A systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration ID CRD42022336641) was conducted to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on functional outcomes in people with PAD. Studies reporting any dose of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation versus placebo were assessed by two independent reviewers. Data including study design, number, age and sex of participants, period of assessment, diagnosis method for PAD, inclusion and exclusion criteria, method and formulation of omega-3 supplementation were analysed. Risk of bias was determined using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Of 1067 citations, 12 studies (n = 759 patients) met the predefined inclusion criteria. Supplementation of EPA, or EPA + DHA did not alter the primary outcome measures of pain-free walking distance, maximal walking distance; ankle brachial index, or flow mediated vasodilation versus placebo. There were no changes in secondary outcomes of circulating inflammatory markers, cholesterol, or blood pressure.
Conclusion
Mixed omega-3 fatty acids, especially in low doses, are not effective in reducing symptoms of PAD. However, there is insufficient evidence to rule out effectiveness of specific omega 3 formulations, particularly for high-risk populations. Therefore, it is recommended that a large scale, randomised control trial with high dose EPA is conducted in patients with PAD.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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