Role of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with indomethacin in suppression of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis
Answers
A study was conducted to see the disease activity suppression role of omega-3 fatty acids with
indomethacin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. One group received indomethacin (75 mg) only
daily while another group received indomethacin (75 mg) along with omega-3 fatty acids (3 g) daily
for 12 weeks. The main outcome measures were DAS 2-28 joints score, number of swollen joints,
number of tender joints, duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, pain VAS, patients global VAS,
erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. In terms of outcome both the groups experienced
a modest improvement in disease activity after 12 weeks of treatment. However, compared to
indomethacin–treated group, omega-3 plus indomethacin–treated group achieved a better improvement
in terms of reducing disease activity. Physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health,
vitality, social functioning, grip strength, duration of morning stiffness improved significantly better in
the combination group compared to indomethacin only group. The safety measures included liver and
kidney function tests done didn’t differ between the study groups. This study suggests that omega-3
fatty acid supplementation with indomethacin might ameliorate disease activity and be non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) sparing in rheumatoid arthritis.