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Comparative analysis of the efficacy of omega‐3 fatty acids for hypertriglyceridaemia management in Korea
Author(s) -
Kim H.S.,
Kim H.,
Jeong Y. J.,
Yang S. J.,
Baik S. J.,
Lee H.,
Lee S.H.,
Cho J. H.,
Choi I.Y.,
Yim H. W.,
Yoon K.H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12423
Subject(s) - eicosapentaenoic acid , docosahexaenoic acid , triglyceride , medicine , fatty acid , gastroenterology , statin , chemistry , cholesterol , polyunsaturated fatty acid , biochemistry
Summary What is known and objective This study aimed to compare the ability of statin monotherapy (ST group), omega‐3 fatty acid monotherapy (OM_A group) and combination therapy with omega‐3 fatty acids and a statin (OM_S group), to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted data from the electronic medical records of patients initially prescribed either a statin or omega‐3 fatty acids between January, 2009 and December, 2013. We performed a comparative analysis of the change in cholesterol levels between baseline and an average of 3 months later. Results and discussion Data were extracted for 2071 patients. The average daily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl ester and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester intake was 1689 mg, and 79–86% of the OM_A and OM_S groups were prescribed two omega‐3 fatty acid capsules. At a baseline TG level of between 200 and 500 mg/dL, TG levels were reduced by 16 ± 2·8% in the ST group, 28 ± 2·8% in the OM_A group and 29 ± 2·3% in the OM_S group ( P = 0·001 for ST group vs. OM_A and OM_S groups), with no difference between the OM_A and OM_S groups. At a baseline TG level ≥500 mg/dL, there was no difference in TG level reduction between the three groups (54 ± 7·3%, 55·8 ± 3·5% and 51·8 ± 6·8%, respectively, P = 0·851). What is new and conclusion Although omega‐3 fatty acids are not considered the primary medication for hypertriglyceridaemia, the prescription of omega‐3 fatty acids is justifiable if reduction in TG levels is judged to be necessary.