Effects of high-dose fish oil on rheumatoid arthritis after stopping nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Clinical and immune correlates.

Objective: To determine the following: 1) whether dietary supplementation with fish oil will allow the discontinuation of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); 2) the clinical efficacy of high-dose dietary omega 3 fatty acid fish oil supplementation in RA patients; and 3) the effect of fish oil supplements on the production of multiple cytokines in this population.

Methods: Sixty-six RA patients entered a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study of fish oil supplementation while taking diclofenac (75 mg twice a day). Patients took either 130 mg/kg/day of omega 3 fatty acids or 9 capsules/day of corn oil.

Every-other-week methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective study.

Objective: To determine if patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that is stable with weekly methotrexate (MTX) therapy could be switched to an every-other-week regimen of MTX.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with classic or definite RA who had received MTX for at least 8 months were studied. Clinical measurements consisted of the number of tender and swollen joints, physician and patient global evaluation of disease activity on a 5-point scale, grip strength, patient evaluation of pain, morning stiffness, and the interval to onset of fatigue from time of awakening.