The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on ARDS: A randomized double-blind study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an enteral nutrition diet, enriched with omega-3 fatty acids because of its anti-inflammatory effects on treatment of patients with mild to moderate ARDS. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in two ICUs of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from Jun 2011 until Sep 2013 in north west of Iran. Fifty-eight patients with mild to moderate ARDS were enroled in this clinical trial. All patients received standard treatment for ARDS based on ARDS network trial. In intervention group, patients received 6 soft-gels of omega-3/day in addition to the standard treatment. Results: Tidal volume, PEEP, pH, PaO₂/FiO₂, SaO₂, P platue and PaCO₂ on the 7^th and 14^th days didn't have significant difference between two groups. Indices of lung mechanics (Resistance, Compliance) had significant difference between the groups on the 14^th day. Pao₂ had significant difference between two groups on both 7^th and 14^th days. Trend of PaO₂ changes during the study period in two groups were significant. We showed that adjusted mortality rate did not have significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: It seems that adding omega-3 fatty acids to enteral diet of patients with ARDS has positive results in term of ventilator free days, oxygenation, lung mechanic indices; however, we need more multi center trials with large sample size and different doses of omega-3 fatty acids for their routine usage as an adjuant for ARDS treatment.