7.7 THE EFFECT OF MARINE N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS ON CARDIAC AUTONOMIC AND HEMODYNAMIC FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: A RANDOMISED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Patients with psoriatic arthritis are at high cardiovascular risk. Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of marine n-3 PUFA on cardiac autonomic function and vascular function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, where 145 patients with psoriatic arthritis were supplemented with 3 g of n-3 PUFA or olive oil (control) daily for 24 weeks. Blood pressure, heart rate, HRV, central blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and fatty acid composition of granulocytes, were determined. Results: At baseline we found a significant difference in the HRV parameter RR when comparing subjects with the highest vs the lowest fish intake (p = 0.03). After supplementation for 24 weeks there was a trend towards an increase in RR (p= 0.13) and decrease in heart rate (p = 0.12) comparing the n-3 PUFA group with the control group. However, per-protocol analysis (performed on participants who completed the trial with a good compliance) showed significantly increased RR (p = 0.01) and lowered heart rate (p = 0.01) in the n-3 PUFA supplemented patients compared to controls. Blood pressure, PWV and central blood pressure did not change after supplementation with n-3 PUFA. Conclusions: Marine n-3 PUFA increased HRV in patients with psoriatic arthritis which may suggest a protective effect of n-3 PUFA against cardiovascular disease in this population.