Abstract

A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF OMEGA 3 SUPPLEMENTATION IN JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS: IMPROVEMENT IN DISEASE ACTIVITY AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS

*Neveen Helmy Abou El-Soud, Mai Mahmoud Youssef,Gamila Mohamed El-Saeed, Nahla Abdel Moniem Barakat

Abstract

Background: A variety of drugs either alone or in combination are used in treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with varying success to suppress symptoms or modify disease activity. Omega 3 has been recommended in treatment and prevention of inflammatory, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Researches on JIA are limited. Aim: to evaluate the effect of omega 3 supplementation on disease activity and functional status in JIA. Subjects and methods: This study was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 12-week trial. Sixty six patients with JIA were randomized (1:1) to receive omega 3 supplements (2 gm/ day) orally or placebo. Medications remained stable throughout the study. Disease activity was assessed using Juvenile Disease Activity Score in 27 joints (JDAS-27). Functional status was assessed using the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Laboratory investigations were performed for all patients including determination of hemoglobin concentration (Hb in g/dL), ESR in mm/h, and C-reactive protein (CRP in mg/L). Levels of IL-1 and TNF-α level were measured using radioimmunoassay. Results: At baseline, groups were similar in demographic, biochemical, disease activity criteria and drug dose treatment. After 12 weeks omega 3 supplements significantly improved the JDAS-27, CHAQ-DI score, ESR, C reactive protein, TNF-α, and IL-1 levels (p< 0.05). Conclusion: These results confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of omega 3 supplementation in a dose of 2 gm/day for 12 weeks and its effective role in decreasing disease activity and improving functional status in JIA patients.

Keywords: Omega 3 supplementation; rheumatoid arthritis; JDAS.