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Subject Area

Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background Nutritional supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids has been proposed to modulate the balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators in sepsis and acute lung injury. Objectives To evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids as diet-enhanced immunity on sepsis outcome in critically ill patients. Patients and methods Sixty patients with early sepsis were divided equally into two groups: group A who received high-dose omega-3 fatty acids for consecutive 7 days besides conventional sepsis treatment, group B: control group who received only conventional sepsis treatment. Both groups were followed up by inflammatory markers, sequential organ failure assessment score monitoring, need for organ-supportive measures, length of ICU stay, mortality rate, final outcome, and complications. Results Compared with the control group, the high-dose omega-3 fatty acids exhibited lower levels of white blood cells, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin at day 5 (P = 0.001, 0.012, and 0.001, respectively) and at day 7 (P = 0.014, 0.008, and 0.29, respectively). As regards serum lactate, there was an insignificant difference between D1–D5 and D1–D7 (P = 0.087 at day 5 and P = 0.80 at day 7). Group A showed a significant decrease in the length of ICU stay (P = 0.035), with the insignificant difference in sequential organ failure assessment score, the need for vasopressor, days free from mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate (P = 0.293, 0.796, 0.201, and 0.781, respectively). Conclusion The use of omega-3 therapy is safe and associated with promising effects on inflammatory cascade and may play a role in these patients.

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