n−3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Dry eye disease is a common chronic condition that is characterized by ocular discomfort and visual disturbances that decrease quality of life. Many clinicians recommend the use of supplements of n-3 fatty acids (often called omega-3 fatty acids) to relieve symptoms. METHODS: In a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial, we randomly assigned patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease to receive a daily oral dose of 3000 mg of fish-derived n-3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (active supplement group) or an olive oil placebo (placebo group). The primary outcome was the mean change from baseline in the score on the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI; scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity), which was based on the mean of scores obtained at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included mean changes per eye in the conjunctival staining score (ranging from 0 to 6) and the corneal staining score (ranging from 0 to 15), with higher scores indicating more severe damage to the ocular surface, as well as mean changes in the tear break-up time (seconds between a blink and gaps in the tear film) and the result on Schirmer's test (length of wetting of paper strips placed on the lower eyelid), with lower values indicating more severe signs. RESULTS: A total of 349 patients were assigned to the active supplement group and 186 to the placebo group; the primary analysis included 329 and 170 patients, respectively. The mean change in the OSDI score was not significantly different between the active supplement group and the placebo group (-13.9 points and -12.5 points, respectively; mean difference in change after imputation of missing data, -1.9 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.0 to 1.1; P=0.21). This result was consistent across prespecified subgroups. There were no significant differences between the active supplement group and the placebo group in mean changes from baseline in the conjunctival staining score (mean difference in change, 0.0 points; 95% CI, -0.2 to 0.1), corneal staining score (0.1 point; 95% CI, -0.2 to 0.4), tear break-up time (0.2 seconds; 95% CI, -0.1 to 0.5), and result on Schirmer's test (0.0 mm; 95% CI, -0.8 to 0.9). At 12 months, the rate of adherence to treatment in the active supplement group was 85.2%, according to the level of n-3 fatty acids in red cells. Rates of adverse events were similar in the two trial groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with dry eye disease, those who were randomly assigned to receive supplements containing 3000 mg of n-3 fatty acids for 12 months did not have significantly better outcomes than those who were assigned to receive placebo. (Funded by the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health; DREAM ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02128763 .).
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
In the DREAM multicenter, double-blind trial, daily supplementation with 3000 mg of fish-derived n–3 fatty acids for 12 months did not significantly improve dry eye symptoms or signs compared with olive oil placebo. The primary OSDI mean-change difference was −1.9 points (95% CI, −5.0 to 1.1; P=0.21).
Key findings
- The primary outcome, mean change from baseline in OSDI score, was −13.9±15.6 points with active supplement vs −12.5±18.2 points with placebo; mean difference in change after multiple imputation was −1.9 points (95% CI, −5.0 to 1.1; P=0.21).
- Secondary sign outcomes showed no significant differences: conjunctival staining score mean difference 0.0 points (95% CI, −0.2 to 0.1), corneal staining score 0.1 point (95% CI, −0.2 to 0.4), tear break-up time 0.2 seconds (95% CI, −0.1 to 0.5), and Schirmer’s test 0.0 mm (95% CI, −0.8 to 0.9).
- Adherence at 12 months was 85.2% in the active group according to red-cell n–3 fatty acid levels; 83.0% of active-group and 82.9% of placebo-group patients reported taking five capsules daily.
- Adverse event rates were similar: serious adverse events occurred in 6.0% of active vs 8.1% of placebo patients (P=0.31); diarrhea was reported in 4.9% vs 1.6% (P=0.09).
Methods
- Multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial at 27 U.S. clinical centers; 349 patients assigned to active supplement and 186 to placebo in a 2:1 ratio, with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease and OSDI eligibility criteria of 25–80 at screening and 21–80 at confirmation.
- Intervention was five soft-gelatin capsules daily for 12 months: active capsules contained 400 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA each (total daily dose 2000 mg EPA plus 1000 mg DHA); placebo capsules contained refined olive oil.
- Primary analysis was intention-to-treat for mean change in OSDI score based on 6- and 12-month values; linear regression with robust variance, generalized estimating equations for ocular measures, multiple imputation for missing OSDI scores, and prespecified subgroup interaction tests were used.
Limitations
- The paper does not include a formal limitations section; it states that the placebo effect was substantial, as in other dry eye trials.
- The text notes that direct comparison with previous n–3 trials is complicated by differences in eligibility criteria, dose, placebo content, duration, use of other dry eye treatments, dietary practices, and outcome measures.
- The trial allowed patients to continue existing dry eye treatments and included a broad spectrum of patients, which the authors present as supporting generalizability but which also means the results apply to n–3 supplementation added to ongoing care.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
8 of 17 cited sources checked · 6 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured
- Findingcitation
Of 375 DREAM patients with tear osmolarity measurements, only 24 (6.4%) would have met the eligibility criteria of a recent study (osmolarity ≥312 mOsm/mL in at least one eye and mild meibomian-gland dysfunction in both eyes).
“of the 375 patients in the DREAM trial who had tear osmolarity measurements, only 24 (6.4%) would have met the following eligibility criteria in a recent study: an osmolarity of at least 312 mOsm per milliliter in at least one eye and mild meibomian-gland dysfunction in both eyes.20”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [20] Epitropoulos AT Donnenfeld ED Shah ZA Effect of oral re-esterified omega-3 nutritional supplementation on dry eyes Cornea 2016 35 1185 91 27442314 PMC4975557 source
The Materials and Methods section (page not available) identifies this as a study requiring tear osmolarity of at least 312 mOsm/L in one eye, so the citation identifies the recent study and its threshold. But it includes MGD stages 1 or 2, does not specify MGD in both eyes, and requires the osmolarity threshold on two visits. The 24-of-375 DREAM calculation is not a result attributed to this source. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Premisecitation
Most previous randomized, placebo-controlled trials of n-3 fatty acids for dry eye disease showed significantly greater improvement in symptoms or in at least one sign in the n-3 group than in the placebo group.
“Most of these trials showed significantly greater improvement in symptoms or in at least one of several signs of dry eye disease in the n–3 fatty acid group than in the placebo group.15,18–22,24,26”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim5 of 8 sources checked- cites [15] Bhargava R Kumar P Kumar M Mehra N Mishra A A randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome Int J Ophthalmol 2013 6 811 6 24392330 PMC3874521 source
- cites [18] Bhargava R Kumar P Oral omega-3 fatty acid treatment for dry eye in contact lens wearers Cornea 2015 34 413 20 25719253 source
- cites [19] Deinema LA Vingrys AJ Wong CY Jackson DC Chinnery HR Downie LE A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial of two forms of omega-3 supplements for treating dry eye disease Ophthalmology 2017 124 43 52 27817918 source
- cites [20] Epitropoulos AT Donnenfeld ED Shah ZA Effect of oral re-esterified omega-3 nutritional supplementation on dry eyes Cornea 2016 35 1185 91 27442314 PMC4975557 source
- cites [21] Kangari H Eftekhari MH Sardari S Short-term consumption of oral omega-3 and dry eye syndrome Ophthalmology 2013 120 2191 6 23642375 source
- cites [22] Kawakita T Kawabata F Tsuji T Kawashima M Shimmura S Tsubota K Effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil on dry eye syndrome subjects: randomized controlled trial Biomed Res 2013 34 215 20 24190233 source
- cites [24] Malhotra C Singh S Chakma P Jain AK Effect of oral omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on contrast sensitivity in patients with moderate meibomian gland dysfunction: a prospective placebo-controlled study Cornea 2015 34 637 43 25909236 source
- cites [26] Sheppard JD Jr Singh R McClellan AJ Long-term supplementation with n-6 and n-3 PUFAs improves moderate-to-severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca: a randomized double-blind clinical trial Cornea 2013 32 1297 304 23884332 source
- Premisecitation
Aside from several large trials conducted in India by Bhargava et al., previous clinical trials involved fewer than 125 total patients.
“Aside from several large trials that were conducted in India by Bhargava et al.,15–18 the previous clinical trials involved fewer than 125 total patients.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 4 sources checked- cites [15] Bhargava R Kumar P Kumar M Mehra N Mishra A A randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome Int J Ophthalmol 2013 6 811 6 24392330 PMC3874521 source
- cites [16] Bhargava R Kumar P Phogat H Kaur A Kumar M Oral omega-3 fatty acids treatment in computer vision syndrome related dry eye Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2015 38 206 10 25697893 source
- cites [17] Bhargava R Chandra M Bansal U Singh D Ranjan S Sharma S A randomized controlled trial of omega 3 fatty acids in rosacea patients with dry eye symptoms Curr Eye Res 2016 41 1274 80 27050028 source
- cites [18] Bhargava R Kumar P Oral omega-3 fatty acid treatment for dry eye in contact lens wearers Cornea 2015 34 413 20 25719253 source
- Findingown data
The percentage of patients with at least one nonserious adverse event was 61.9% in the active group and 60.8% in the placebo group (P=0.87).
“The percentage of patients with at least one nonserious adverse event was similar in the active supplement group and the placebo group (61.9% and 60.8%, respectively; P = 0.87)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The mean difference in OSDI change was −1.6 points (95% CI, −4.8 to 1.6; P=0.32) in the analysis adjusted for baseline EPA level.
“and was −1.6 points (95% CI, −4.8 to 1.6; P = 0.32) in an analysis performed with adjustment for the baseline EPA level (which included 486 patients)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
- Findingown data
There was no significant difference between groups in mean change in Schirmer's test result (mean difference 0.0 mm; 95% CI, −0.8 to 0.9).
“result on Schirmer’s test (0.0 mm; 95% CI, −0.8 to 0.9)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
There was no significant difference between groups in mean change in conjunctival staining score (mean difference 0.0 points; 95% CI, −0.2 to 0.1).
“There were no significant differences between the active supplement group and the placebo group in mean changes from baseline in the conjunctival staining score (mean difference in change, 0.0 points; 95% CI, −0.2 to 0.1)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Eighteen exploratory subgroup analyses did not reveal significant interactions.
“In addition, 18 exploratory analyses of subgroups defined according to baseline demographic characteristics, use of medications, systemic diseases, signs of dry eye disease, candidate biomarkers for dry eye disease, use of n–3 fatty acid supplements, and self-reported adherence did not reveal any significant interactions”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The percentage of patients with an episode of bleeding was 2.0% in the active group and 1.6% in the placebo group (P=1.00).
“as was the percentage of patients with an episode of bleeding (2.0% and 1.6%, respectively; P = 1.00).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Conjunctival staining score improved between baseline and 12 months in each trial group (P<0.001).
“In each trial group, there were improvements between baseline and 12 months in the conjunctival staining score, the corneal staining score, and the tear break-up time (P<0.001 for change for each measure in each group)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Mean changes in the three OSDI subscales were not significantly different between groups (P≥0.10 for all comparisons).
“The mean changes in scores on the three OSDI subscales were not significantly different in the two trial groups (P≥0.10 for all comparisons).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
A higher percentage of patients reported diarrhea in the active group than in the placebo group (4.9% vs. 1.6%; P=0.09).
“A higher percentage of patients reported diarrhea in the active supplement group than in the placebo group (4.9% and 1.6%, respectively; P = 0.09)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Corneal staining score improved between baseline and 12 months in each trial group (P<0.001).
“In each trial group, there were improvements between baseline and 12 months in the conjunctival staining score, the corneal staining score, and the tear break-up time (P<0.001 for change for each measure in each group)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Schirmer's test result did not improve between baseline and 12 months in either trial group (P=0.79 active; P=0.46 placebo).
“but not in the result on Schirmer’s test (P = 0.79 for change in the active supplement group; P = 0.46 for change in the placebo group)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Tear break-up time improved between baseline and 12 months in each trial group (P<0.001).
“In each trial group, there were improvements between baseline and 12 months in the conjunctival staining score, the corneal staining score, and the tear break-up time (P<0.001 for change for each measure in each group)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
There was no significant difference between groups in mean change in corneal staining score (mean difference 0.1 point; 95% CI, −0.2 to 0.4).
“corneal staining score (0.1 point; 95% CI, −0.2 to 0.4)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The mean difference in OSDI change was −1.4 points (95% CI, −4.6 to 1.8; P=0.40) in the analysis without multiple imputation.
“The mean difference in change was −1.4 points (95% CI, −4.6 to 1.8; P = 0.40) in an analysis performed without multiple imputation (which included 499 patients)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The percentage of patients with at least one serious adverse event was 6.0% in the active group and 8.1% in the placebo group (P=0.31).
“The percentage of patients with at least one serious adverse event was 6.0% in the active supplement group and 8.1% in the placebo group (P = 0.31).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
There was no significant difference between groups in mean change in tear break-up time (mean difference 0.2 seconds; 95% CI, −0.1 to 0.5).
“tear break-up time (0.2 seconds; 95% CI, −0.1 to 0.5)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The mean oleic acid level changed by less than 1% in either trial group.
“the mean oleic acid level changed by less than 1% in either trial group.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
In the DREAM trial, subgroup analyses defined according to criteria from previous studies did not yield evidence of benefit from n-3 treatment as compared with placebo.
“In the DREAM trial, analyses of subgroups that were defined according to these and other criteria did not yield evidence of a benefit from treatment as compared with placebo.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The mean EPA level increased by 400% in the active supplement group.
“the mean EPA level increased by 400% in the active supplement group”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Study design and conductown data
There were no significant imbalances between groups in baseline characteristics, except for a higher mean EPA level in the active group (0.63% vs. 0.56%; P=0.047).
“There were no significant imbalances between trial groups in baseline characteristics, except for the higher mean EPA level in the active supplement group than in the placebo group (0.63% vs. 0.56%; P = 0.047)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation
There is no definitive evidence of the efficacy of n-3 fatty acid supplements in relieving symptoms or resolving signs of dry eye disease.
“There is no definitive evidence of the efficacy of n–3 fatty acid supplements in the relief of symptoms or in the resolution of signs of dry eye disease.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [7] American Academy of Ophthalmology Cornea/External Disease Panel Preferred practice pattern guidelines: dry eye syndrome San Francisco Academy of Ophthalmology 2013 (https://www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/dry-eye-syndrome-ppp--2013)
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationown data
Among patients with dry eye disease, those randomly assigned to receive 3000 mg of n-3 fatty acids for 12 months did not have significantly better outcomes than those assigned to placebo.
“Among patients with dry eye disease, those who were randomly assigned to receive supplements containing 3000 mg of n–3 fatty acids for 12 months did not have significantly better outcomes than those who were assigned to receive placebo.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The olive oil placebo is neutral with respect to changes in symptoms and signs of dry eye disease.
- Interpretationcitation
The placebo effect in this trial was substantial.
“As in other clinical trials of treatments for dry eye disease, the placebo effect was substantial.13,14”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [13] Foulks GN Challenges and pitfalls in clinical trials of treatments for dry eye Ocul Surf 2003 1 20 30 17075626 source
- cites [14] Holland EJ Luchs J Karpecki PM Lifetegrast for the treatment of dry eye disease: results of a phase III, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial (OPUS-3) Ophthalmology 2017 124 53 60 28079022
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationreasoning
The DREAM trial was a real-world clinical trial including patients with typical dry eye disease who sought relief of symptoms despite the use of other interventions.
“This trial was a “real world” clinical trial, including patients with typical dry eye disease who sought relief of symptoms despite the use of other interventions.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The change in n-3 fatty acid level in red-cell membranes indicated a high level of adherence to treatment among patients in the active supplement group.
“The change in the n–3 fatty acid level, as measured in red-cell membranes, indicated a high level of adherence to treatment among patients in the active supplement group”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 20
- May combine two claims. 15
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationMany clinicians recommend and many patients take dietary supplements of n-3 fatty acids because they have antiinflammatory activity and are not associated with substantial side effects.
“Many clinicians recommend and many patients take dietary supplements of n–3 fatty acids (often called omega-3 fatty acids), because they have antiinflammatory activity and are not associated with substantial side effects.6”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [6] Serhan CN Chiang N Van Dyke TE Resolving inflammation: dual anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution lipid mediators Nat Rev Immunol 2008 8 349 61 18437155 PMC2744593 source
The discussion of omega-3 PUFAs (page not provided) reports beneficial effects in inflammatory diseases, supporting the anti-inflammatory rationale. Our copy does not establish that many clinicians recommend supplements or that many patients take them. The concluding discussion (page not provided) raises the possibility that excess DHA and EPA intake could damage tissues, so it does not support the claim that supplements lack substantial side effects. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataChanges in mean visual acuity and mean intraocular pressure were not significantly different between groups.
“as were the changes in mean visual acuity and mean intraocular pressure.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe mean change in total OSDI score was −13.9 points in the active group and −12.5 points in the placebo group, with a mean difference in change of −1.9 points (95% CI, −5.0 to 1.1; P=0.21) in the multiple-imputation analysis.
“The mean (±SD) change in the total OSDI score was −13.9±15.6 points in the active supplement group and −12.5±18.2 points in the placebo group, resulting in a mean difference in change of −1.9 points (95% confidence interval [CI], −5.0 to 1.1; P = 0.21) in an analysis performed with the regression method of multiple imputation for missing data”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataChanges in conjunctival staining, corneal staining, tear break-up time, and Schirmer's test result were not significantly different between groups (P≥0.25 for all comparisons).
“Changes in these signs were not significantly different in the two trial groups (P≥0.25 for all comparisons)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe four prespecified subgroup analyses did not reveal significant interactions (P≥0.29), and within subgroups estimated mean differences in OSDI change did not exceed 3.3 points.
“The 4 prespecified subgroup analyses did not reveal any significant interactions (P≥0.29 for all comparisons) (Table 3). Within subgroups, the estimated mean differences in change in the OSDI score between trial groups did not exceed 3.3 points.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataOSDI scores decreased between baseline and 12 months in both active and placebo groups (P<0.001 for change in each group), with most decrease during the first 3 months.
“OSDI scores decreased between baseline and 12 months in the active supplement group and in the placebo group (P<0.001 for change in each group); most of the decrease was during the first 3 months”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataThe significance of differences between groups for 18 secondary outcomes, adherence measures, and safety measures was evaluated with post hoc Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment.
“The significance of differences between trial groups for 18 secondary outcomes, measures of adherence to the trial regimen, and safety measures were evaluated with post hoc application of the Benjamini–Hochberg adjustment.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenA sample of 505 patients was determined to provide 90% statistical power to detect a 6-point mean difference between groups in mean change in OSDI score, assuming a standard deviation of 18 points and missing data for 15% of patients.
“We determined that a sample of 505 patients would provide the trial with 90% statistical power to detect a 6-point mean difference between trial groups in the mean change in the OSDI score, assuming a standard deviation of 18 points and missing data for 15% of patients.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductcitationPropensity scores and the regression method of multiple imputation were used for missing OSDI scores at month 6 or 12.
“Propensity scores and the regression method of multiple imputation were used for missing OSDI scores at month 6 or 12.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataIn the active group, 91.0% at 6 months and 85.2% at 12 months exceeded the EPA threshold for adherence to treatment.
“In the active supplement group, for 264 of the 290 patients who were assessed at 6 months (91.0%) and for 247 of the 290 patients who were assessed at 12 months (85.2%), the EPA level exceeded the threshold for adherence to treatment.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataAt 12 months, 83.0% of active-group patients and 82.9% of placebo-group patients reported taking five capsules daily.
“At 12 months, 269 of 324 patients in the active supplement group (83.0%) and 136 of 164 patients in the placebo group (82.9%) reported taking five capsules daily.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductown dataPrespecified subgroups were defined according to baseline severity of symptoms, severity of signs, EPA and DHA levels in red cells, and ocular inflammation.
“Prespecified subgroups were defined according to baseline severity of symptoms (OSDI score ≥40 vs. <40), severity of signs (severe [conjunctival staining score, ≥2; corneal staining score, ≥4; tear break-up time, <5 seconds; and the result on Schirmer’s test, ≤7 mm in 5 minutes] vs. not severe), EPA and DHA levels in red cells”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataThe DREAM trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02128763.
“(Funded by the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health; DREAM ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02128763.)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenRandomization was performed with a Web-based module and was stratified according to clinical center with a permuted-block method with randomly chosen block sizes.
“Randomization was performed with the use of a Web-based module and was stratified according to clinical center with a permuted-block method with randomly chosen block sizes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenThe contents of the active and placebo capsules were verified by an independent laboratory.
“The contents of the active and placebo capsules were verified by an independent laboratory (Nutra-source Diagnostics).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe mean EPA level increased by 2.2 percentage points in the active group and 0.0 percentage points in the placebo group (P<0.001).
“The change in the mean EPA level was 2.2 percentage points in the active supplement group as compared with 0.0 percentage points in the placebo group (P<0.001)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenAnalyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat principle.
“Analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat principle.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe mean DHA level increased by 1.6 percentage points in the active group and decreased by 0.1 percentage points in the placebo group (P<0.001).
“the change in the mean DHA level was 1.6 percentage points as compared with −0.1 percentage points (P<0.001)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataFollow-up visits were completed for 93.3% of scheduled visits in the active group and 89.2% in the placebo group.
“A total of 974 of the 1044 scheduled follow-up visits (93.3%) were completed in the active supplement group, and 498 of the 558 visits (89.2%) were completed in the placebo group.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenAll patients, clinical staff, and laboratory personnel were unaware of the trial-group assignments.
“All patients, clinical staff, and laboratory personnel were unaware of the trial-group assignments.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataA total of 349 patients were assigned to active supplement and 186 to placebo; the primary analysis included 329 and 170 patients, respectively.
“A total of 349 patients were assigned to the active supplement group and 186 to the placebo group; the primary analysis included 329 and 170 patients, respectively.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe DREAM trial was a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial.
“In a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial, we randomly assigned patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease to receive a daily oral dose of 3000 mg of fish-derived n–3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (active supplement group) or an olive oil placebo (placebo group).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductown dataPatients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive active or placebo supplements for 12 months.
“Patients were randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, to receive active or placebo supplements for 12 months.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenPatients were recruited from private and academic optometry and ophthalmology practices throughout the United States and had symptoms and signs of moderate-to-severe dry eye disease on two consecutive examinations 2 weeks apart.
“Patients were recruited from private and academic optometry and ophthalmology practices throughout the United States and had symptoms and signs of moderate-to-severe dry eye disease on two consecutive examinations that were performed 2 weeks apart.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Premisenone givenThe dose of 3000 mg daily n-3 fatty acids was the highest dose used in previous clinical trials of fish-derived n-3 fatty acids.
“The dose of n–3 fatty acids (3000 mg daily) was the highest dose used in previous clinical trials of fish-derived n–3 fatty acids.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Study design and conductnone givenThe 1-year follow-up period minimized the effect of seasonal factors.
“The 1-year follow-up period minimized the effect of seasonal factors.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenPatients were allowed to continue their current treatments for dry eye disease.
“Patients were allowed to continue their current treatments for dry eye disease, which is not the case in most industry-sponsored trials of treatments for this disease.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenEye examinations were conducted according to a standard protocol by trial-certified staff to reduce variation between visits and examiners.
“Eye examinations were conducted according to a standard protocol by trial-certified staff to reduce variation between visits and examiners.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
The olive oil placebo is neutral with respect to changes in symptoms and signs of dry eye disease.
“The daily placebo was approximately 1 teaspoon of olive oil, which primarily delivers n–9 oleic acid, a substance that is considered to be neutral with respect to changes in symptoms and signs of dry eye disease.”
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease
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- Authors
- The Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study Research Group
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Corresponding author
- The Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study Research Group
- Venue
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Publisher
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- Published
- 2018-05-03
- Volume
- 378
- Issue
- 18
- Pages
- 1681-1690
- ISSN
- 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-4406
- PMC
- PMC5952353
- OpenAlex
- W2887843846
- Semantic Scholar
- a1beaa20e2b7fe75859e207b7ba0b51a23e84331
- Cited by
- 274
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 17
- FWCI
- 29.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- New England Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Office of Dietary Supplements
- National Eye Institute (U10EY022879, U10EY022881)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ocular Surface and Contact Lens
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Keywords
- dry eye, omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, fish oil supplementation, Ocular Surface Disease Index, conjunctival staining, corneal staining, tear film break-up time, Schirmer test, ocular surface disease, tear film, subgroup analysis, quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Olive Oil, Administration, Oral, Adult, Aged, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, Male, Middle Aged, Severity of Illness Index, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Treatment Failure, Dietary Supplements
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-30.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-30.
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