Cited by 91Respiratory Support and MechanismsClinical Nutrition and GastroenterologyFatty Acid Research and Health

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Langlois, Pascal L., D'Aragon, Fréderick, Hardy, Gil, Manzanares, William·2019·Nutrition

Abstract

Objective Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by an acute inflammatory response in the lung parenchyma leading to severe hypoxemia. Because of its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) have been administered to ARDS patients, mostly by the enteral route, as immune-enhancing diets with eicosapentaenoic acid, γ-linolenic acid, and antioxidants. However, clinical benefits of ω-3 PUFAs in ARDS patients remain unclear because clinical trials have found conflicting results. Considering the most recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and recent change in administration strategies, the aim of this updated systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate clinical benefits of ω-3 PUFA administration on gas exchange and clinical outcomes in ARDS patients. Methods We searched for RCTs conducted in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with ARDS comparing the administration of ω-3 PUFAs to placebo. The outcomes assessed were PaO 2-to-FiO 2 ratio evaluated early (3-4 d) and later (7-8 d), mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), length of mechanical ventilation (MV), and infectious complications. Two independent reviewers assessed eligibility, risk of bias, and abstracted data. Data were pooled using a random effect model to estimate the relative risk or weighted mean difference (WMD). Results Twelve RCTs (n = 1280 patients) met our inclusion criteria. Omega-3 PUFAs administration was associated with a significant improvement in early PaO 2-to-FiO 2 ratio (WMD = 49.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.88-77.78; P = 0.0007; I 2 = 69%), which persisted at days 7 to 8 (WMD = 27.87; 95% CI 0.75-54.99; P = 0.04; I 2 = 57%). There was a trend in those receiving ω-3 PUFA toward reduced ICU LOS (P = 0.08) and duration of MV (P = 0.06), whereas mortality, hospital LOS, and infectious complications remained unchanged. Continuous enteral infusion was associated with reduced mortality (P = 0.02), whereas analysis restricted to enteral administration either with or without bolus found improved early PaO 2 and FiO 2 (P = 0.001) and MV duration (P = 0.03). Trials at higher risk of bias had a significant reduction in mortality (P = 0.04), and improvement in late PaO 2-to-FiO 2 ratio (P = 0.003). Conclusions In critically ill patients with ARDS, ω-3 PUFAs in enteral immunomodulatory diets may be associated with an improvement in early and late PaO 2-to-FiO 2 ratio, and statistical trends exist for an improved ICU LOS and MV duration. Considering these results, administering ω-3 PUFAs appears a reasonable strategy in ARDS.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.nut.2018.10.026

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  • In the Langlois review, infectious complications remained unchanged.

    “Infectious complications remained unchanged.”

    From Nutrition in Sepsis: A Bench-to-Bedside Review. (2020) · cites this paper as [70]

  • Langlois et al. reviewed 12 RCTs (n = 1280 patients) and found that ω-3 PUFA administration, particularly when given as a continuous infusion in combination with γ-linolenic acid and antioxidants, was associated with significant early and late improvement of oxygenation in critically ill patients with ARDS.

    “ω-3 PUFA administration, particularly when given as a continuous infusion in combination with γ-linolenic acid and antioxidants, was associated with significant early and late improvement of oxygenation.”

    From Nutrition in Sepsis: A Bench-to-Bedside Review. (2020) · cites this paper as [70]

  • Only trials published before 2011 showed a significant reduction in mortality, which might not relate to feeding but to a change in therapeutic approach of ARDS.

    “Only trials published before 2011 showed a significant reduction in mortality, which might not relate to feeding but to a change in therapeutic approach of ARDS [70].”

    From Nutrition in Sepsis: A Bench-to-Bedside Review. (2020) · cites this paper as [70]

  • In the Langlois review, patients who received ω-3 PUFAs tended to have a reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.

    “Patients who received ω-3 PUFAs tended to have a reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.”

    From Nutrition in Sepsis: A Bench-to-Bedside Review. (2020) · cites this paper as [70]

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Authors
Langlois, P. L., D'Aragon, F., Hardy, G., & Manzanares, W.
Affiliations
  • Université de Sherbrooke (CA)
  • Universidad de la República de Uruguay (UY)
Corresponding author
Langlois, Pascal L.
Venue
Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-05
Volume
61
Pages
84-92
ISSN
0899-9007 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2900137047
Cited by
91
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
FWCI
1.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Respiratory Support and Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
Keywords
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, acute respiratory distress syndrome, eicosapentaenoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, oxygenation, mechanical ventilation duration, ICU length of stay, mortality, infectious complications, critically ill patients, anti-inflammatory therapy, immune-enhancing diet
MeSH terms
Antioxidants, Enteral Nutrition, Humans, Length of Stay, Respiration, Artificial, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Critical Illness, Treatment Outcome, gamma-Linolenic Acid, Immunomodulation

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