Omega-3 Index and Clinical Outcomes of Severe COVID-19: Preliminary Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The potentially detrimental effects of the worldwide deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids on the COVID-19 pandemic have been underestimated. The Omega-3 Index (O3I), clinical variables, biometric indices, and nutritional information were directly determined for 74 patients with severe COVID-19 and 10 healthy quality-control subjects. The relationships between the OI3 and mechanical ventilation (MV) and death were analyzed. Results: Patients with COVID-19 exhibited low O3I (mean: 4.15%; range: 3.06–6.14%)—consistent with insufficient fish and Omega-3 supplement consumption, and markedly lower than the healthy control subjects (mean: 7.84%; range: 4.65–10.71%). Inverse associations were observed between O3I and MV (OR = 0.459; C.I.: 0.211–0.997) and death (OR = 0.28; C.I.: 0.08–0.985) in severe COVID-19, even after adjusting for sex, age, and well-known risk factors. Conclusion: We present preliminary evidence to support the hypothesis that the risk of severe COVID-19 can be stratified by the O3I quartile. Further investigations are needed to assess the value of the O3I as a blood marker for COVID-19.

The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the severity and mortality of COVID patients: A systematic review

“…In terms of PUFAs and severity of Covid-19 disease, the mean omega-3 PUFA Index (consistent with insufficient fish and Omega-3 supplement consumption) was 4.15% ± 0.69% in patients with severe Covid-19 and markedly lower than the healthy control subjects (mean: 7.84%; range: 4.65–10.71%) [32] .…”

“…In terms of requirement to mechanical ventilation, Zapata et al showed that the need for mechanical ventilation for low omega-3 PUFA values (lowest O3I quartile (<3.57%)) increased compared to higher values (OR = 1.348, 95% CI: 0.925–1.964; P = 0.183) and decreased for high levels of omega-3 PUFA (highest O3I quartile (> 4.51%) (OR = 3.111, 95% CI: 1.261–7.676; P = 0.032) [32] .…”

“…According to the goals of this study, included articles was divided in 4 groups; PUFAs and risk of Covid-19 [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , PUFAs and severity of Covid-19 [27] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , PUFAs and Risk of Death Due to Covid-19 [3] , [26] , [29] , [32] , [38] , [39] , [40] and Covid-19 and receiving PUFAs [26] , [41] .…”

Circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids and COVID-19: a prospective cohort study and Mendelian randomization analysis

“…found that plasma GLA, DGLA, and EPA were decreased in COVID-19 patients, but LA and AA were elevated (12). Two small studies found that the omega-3 index was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients and was inversely associated with risks of requiring mechanical ventilation and death (9, 10). The differences in these observational studies are likely results of uncontrolled confounding factors or the usage of patients at different disease stages.…”

“…Recent observational studies have noted significant changes in the circulating levels of various PUFAs when comparing COVID-19 patients to healthy controls and across severity subgroups of patients. In general, total PUFAs, omega-6 PUFAs, linoleic acid (LA), and the omega-3 index measured as the percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids, are lower in COVID-19 patients and even lower in severe cases (9)(10)(11)(12). A higher omega-3 index in patients was further associated with lower risks of requiring mechanical ventilation and death (9,10).…”