Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on lipid profiles in dialysis patients: meta-analysis

Background and aims: Studies of omega-3 supplementation in dialysis patients describe salutary effects on lipid profiles. However, study results have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of omega-3 supplementation on serum lipids in chronic dialysis patients.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of omega-3 supplementation on dialysis patients. The outcomes included the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and albumin. Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and heterogeneity was assessed with the I(2) test.

Results: A total of 678 patients from 14 trials were subjected to meta-analysis. Omega-3 supplementation could significantly decrease the levels of TG (MD, -34.8 mg/dL; 95% CI, -62.32 to -7.28) and LDL (MD, -7.15 mg/dL; 95% CI, -10.11 to -4.2). However, no statistically significant effects were observed for TC, HDL and albumin levels. In a subgroup meta-analysis, a statistically significant effect of omega-3 consumption on TG and LDL was observed in a short-term interventional duration and hemodialysis populations.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that omega-3 supplementation significantly reduced serum TG and LDL level in dialysis patients. However, there is no conclusive evidence that it can modulate the TC, HDL and albumin level.