Marine Oil Supplements for Arthritis Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Senftleber NK, Nielsen SM, Andersen JR, et al. · Nutrients

Small overall pain reduction (SMD -0.24, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.07, I2 63%) driven by rheumatoid arthritis trials, with an inverse dose-response and mussel oil the only source to separate on its own; in the 5 osteoarthritis trials (n = 403) the effect was not significant (SMD -0.17, 95% CI -0.57 to 0.24; the GRADE table prints -0.16). Function did not move. Evidence quality rated low overall, moderate for RA and very low for OA.

Population

42 randomized trials (2,751 patients) of marine oils in arthritis (RA, OA, other); 30 trials with usable pain data

Intervention

Oral marine oil supplements (fish, krill, mussel oils)

Comparator

Placebo/control

Limitations

OA subgroup small and null, rated very low; heterogeneous doses and populations; low-quality evidence overall. No specific grant; the Parker Institute is supported by the Oak Foundation; no conflicts declared.