A study was conducted to see the disease activity suppression role of
omega-3 fatty acids with
indomethacin in patients with
rheumatoid arthritis. One group received
indomethacin (75 mg) only daily while another group received
indomethacin (75 mg) along with
omega-3 fatty acids (3 g) daily for 12 weeks. The main outcome measures were
DAS 2-28 joints score, number of swollen joints, number of tender joints, duration of morning stiffness, grip strength,
pain VAS, patients global VAS, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and
C-reactive protein. In terms of outcome both the groups experienced a modest improvement in disease activity after 12 weeks of treatment. However, compared to
indomethacin-treated group, omega-3 plus
indomethacin-treated group achieved a better improvement in terms of reducing disease activity. Physical functioning, physical role, bodily
pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, grip strength, duration of morning stiffness improved significantly better in the combination group compared to
indomethacin only group. The safety measures included liver and kidney function tests done didn't differ between the study groups. This study suggests that
omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with
indomethacin might ameliorate disease activity and be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs) sparing in
rheumatoid arthritis.