The effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double blind trial |
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Authors: | G L NIELSEN K L FAARVANG† B S THOMSEN‡ K L TEGLBJÆRG L T JENSEN‡ T M HANSEN† H H LERVANG§ E B SCHMIDT§ J DYERBERG¶ E ERNST§ |
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Institution: | Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. |
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Abstract: | STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on disease variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind. SETTING: Three Danish hospital Departments of Rheumatology. PATIENTS: Fifty-one patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. INTERVENTION: Random allocation to 12 weeks of treatment with either six n-3 PUFA capsules (3.6 g) or six capsules with fat composition as the average Danish diet. MAIN RESULTS: Significant improvement of morning stiffness and joint tenderness. No significant effect on the four other assessed clinical parameters. No serious side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis improved two out of six patient reported disease parameters. Further studies are needed to clarify the more precise role of n-3 PUFA in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. |
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Keywords: | -3 PUFA rheumatoid arthritis |
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