Abstract 17689: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Reduces Inflammation and Improves Physical Function in Patient With Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Poor physical function impairs fitness and is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. Arthritis and joint dysfunction limit physical function in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Hypothesis: Omega-3 fatty acids (FA) improve physical function in CAD patients through reducing inflammation. Methods: We randomized 249 subjects with stable CAD to 3.6 of omega-3 FA (1.86 g of eicosapentaenoic acid + 1.5 g of docosahexaenoic acid) per day or no omega-3 (control) for one year. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to evaluate pain, stiffness and physical function at baseline and one year follow-up. Inflammation was assessed by total white blood cell (WBC) count and its subsets as well as urine microalbumin-creatinine ratio (MCR). Results: Mean age was 63.0 ± 7.58 years; 17% were women. Controls had worsening stiffness (% Δ = 8.4%; p = 0.036) at 1 year follow-up while those on omega-3 FA had no change (% Δ = 0.4%, p = 0.886 - see Table)(a lower percent change indicates better functioning). Compared to controls, those on omega-3 FA had better physical function (% Δ = 8.5% vs. -2.8%, p = 0.011), and total WOMAC scores (% Δ = 7.8% vs. -2.5%, p = 0.011) and a significant decrease in WBC (% Δ = -3.5 vs. -9.4%; p=0.009) and neutrophils (% Δ = -3.5% vs. -11.6%; p=0.005) at one year follow-up. MCR significantly worsened only in the control group (% Δ = 53.3%, p = 0.037) at one year follow-up (p-value for control vs. omega-3 FAs groups = 0.026). Monocytes were decreased in the omega-3 FAs group at one year compared to baseline (% Δ = -11.1%, p < 0.001) and directly correlated with physical function and total scores (p = 0.033 and p = 0.024, respectively). Conclusions: Omega-3 FAs attenuate worsening of physical function over a one year period in CAD patients possibly mediated through an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, omega-3 FA may benefit CAD patients by improving their physical function.