Influence of the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, in the evolution of the inflammation present in rheumatoid arthritis

Susana VI

Author(s): Susana VI

Introduction: Due to a greater knowledge of the mechanisms involved in inflammatory processes, currently in the field of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) there is a great interest in knowing if the lifestyle (diet, and / or physical exercise) influences the development of the disease, since there are indications that nutrition may play an important role in the predisposition and / or resolution of the inflammatory process in said pathology.

Objectives: - Explain the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the symptoms present in patients with RA. We will analyze whether it is possible to influence inflammation, only by supplementing with omega-3, or it is necessary to carry out other dietary actions - Identify which are the most studied study variables when supplementing with omega-3. - Identify which are the most used omega-3 doses, as well as where the fatty acids that are supplemented come from.

Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out in 6 databases (Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science (Wos), CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus), in December-January 2021. The search terms were: “arthritis rheumatoid or rheumatoid arthritis ”and“ fatty acids omega 3 or omega 3 fatty acids ”. The search has been restricted to meta-analysis, systematic review, reviews, clinical trial, controlled and / or randomized clinical trial. Studies published in the last 5 years (2015-2020) carried out in humans, and published in English or Spanish. Results: 240 results were initially obtained. 70 articles were eliminated for being duplicates, and 120 articles for not meeting the inclusion criteria. 50 full-text articles were read, of which 30 articles were finally selected.

Discussion / conclusions: In RA, supplemented omega-3 have been shown to have beneficial effects on clinical parameters of the disease: decrease in the number of painful and swollen joints, improvements in morning stiffness, in grip strength, in the evaluation overall of the disease assessed by the doctor, and reduction of the use of AINEs and other drugs.