Plasma n-3 fatty acids and clinical outcomes in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorProudman, S.
dc.contributor.authorCleland, L.
dc.contributor.authorMetcalf, R.
dc.contributor.authorSullivan, T.
dc.contributor.authorSpargo, L.
dc.contributor.authorJames, M.
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractA randomised controlled trial (RCT) of high-dose v. low-dose fish oil in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) demonstrated that the group allocated to high-dose fish oil had increased remission and decreased failure of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. This study examines the relationships between plasma phospholipid levels of the n-3 fatty acids in fish oil, EPA and DHA, and remission and DMARD use in recent-onset RA. EPA and DHA were measured in blood samples from both groups of the RCT. The data were analysed as a single cohort, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine relationships between plasma phospholipid (PL) EPA and DHA and various outcome measures. When analysed as a single cohort, plasma PL EPA was related to time to remission, with a one unit increase in EPA (1% total fatty acids) associated with a 12% increase in the probability of remission at any time during the study period (hazard ratio (HR)=1·12; 95% CI 1·02, 1·23; P=0·02). Adjustment for smoking, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and 'shared epitope' HLA-DR allele status did not change the HR. Plasma PL EPA, adjusted for the same variables, was negatively related to time to DMARD failure (HR=0·85; 95% CI 0·72, 0·99; P=0·047). The HR for DHA and time to remission or DMARD failure were similar in magnitude to those for EPA, but not statistically significant. Biomarkers of n-3 status, such as plasma PL EPA, have the potential to predict clinical outcomes relevant to standard drug treatment of RA patients.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilitySusanna M. Proudman, Leslie G. Cleland, Robert G. Metcalf, Thomas R. Sullivan, Llewellyn D. Spargo, and Michael J. James
dc.identifier.citationBritish Journal of Nutrition, 2015; 114(06):885-890
dc.identifier.doi10.1017/s0007114515002718
dc.identifier.issn0007-1145
dc.identifier.issn1475-2662
dc.identifier.orcidProudman, S. [0000-0002-3046-9884]
dc.identifier.orcidSullivan, T. [0000-0002-6930-5406]
dc.identifier.orcidJames, M. [0000-0002-4918-2998]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/94434
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherCambridge University Press
dc.rights© The Authors 2015
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114515002718
dc.subjectFish oil; eicosapentaenoic acid; docosahexaenoic acid; arthritis; nutritional immunology
dc.titlePlasma n-3 fatty acids and clinical outcomes in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Medicine publications