Role of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with indomethacin in suppression of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

A study was conducted to see the disease activity suppression role of omega-3 fatty acids withindomethacin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. One group received indomethacin (75 mg) onlydaily while another group received indomethacin (75 mg) along with omega-3 fatty acids (3 g) dailyfor 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 experienceda modest improvement in disease activity after 12 weeks of treatment. However, compared toindomethacin–treated group, omega-3 plus indomethacin–treated group achieved a better improvementin 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 inthe combination group compared to indomethacin only group. The safety measures included liver andkidney function tests done didn’t differ between the study groups. This study suggests that omega-3fatty acid supplementation with indomethacin might ameliorate disease activity and be non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) sparing in rheumatoid arthritis.