Parenteral supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid on the prognosis of sepsis: a retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives The role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of sepsis is always on paradox. we tried to retrieve and download the patients’ data in a certain period through the hospital information system, used data sorting so as to screen out the patients with sepsis so as to find out the role of omega-3 fatty acids in sepsis. Methods Through the hospital information system, retrieve and include the patients who were admitted to the Department of critical medicine of Shenzhen People's Hospital from December 2016 to June 2019, screen out patients diagnosed with sepsis according to a certain criterion. The patients were grouped by whether they were applicated with omega-3 fatty acid or not. Results A total of 1733 cases included into analysis, among of whom 303 cases were applicated with omega-3 fatty acid. The amounts and baseline conditions between both groups were imbalance. Severity of omega-3 fatty acid group was higher than that of control group. Chi-square test found that the mortality rate of omega-3 fatty acid was higher than that of control group (p < 0.0001). But age, gender, whether there is abdominal infection, whether there is septicemia, shock, the need for mechanical ventilation, and the need for renal replacement therapy may all affect the prognosis of the patients. If these factors were used as covariates, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant difference in mortality rate between the treatment group and the control group (P = 0.574). Survival analysis showed that the survival rate of treatment group was higher than that of the control group when at the end of total treatment duration (P = 0.035). Conclusion For patients with more severe sepsis, doctors are more likely to use omega-3 fatty acids in the early stage. Omega-3 fatty acids may improve the long-term prognosis of sepsis, but the conclusion still needs to be accepted carefully.