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Evidence summaries

Fish Oil for Induction of Remission in Ulcerative Colitis

Fish oil as an adjunct treatment may be beneficial for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 6 studies with a total of 159 subjects. No data were pooled for analysis due to differences in outcomes and methodology among the included studies. One small study shows a positive benefit for induction of remission (RR 19.00, 95% CI 1.27 to 284.24, n=18). Patients were maintained on their existing long-term medication with sulphasalazine or mesalazine. Some of the other included studies show some positive benefits for secondary outcomes.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (limited study size for each comparison) and by inconsistency (heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes).

    References

    • De Ley M, de Vos R, Hommes DW, Stokkers P. Fish oil for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD005986. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords