Krill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Laslett LL, Scheepers LEJM, Antony B, et al. · JAMA

Krill oil did not improve knee pain versus placebo (VAS change -19.9 vs -20.2; difference -0.3, 95% CI -6.9 to 6.4). A well-designed, adequately powered null in the population most expected to benefit (inflammatory phenotype).

Population

Adults with clinical knee OA, significant pain, and effusion-synovitis on MRI; 5 Australian centres, 24 weeks

Intervention

2 g/day krill oil (EPA+DHA source)

Comparator

Placebo

Limitations

24 weeks may be short for structural effects; krill oil dose (2 g) delivers less EPA/DHA than high-dose fish oil; result argues against, not for, benefit.