Effects of ω3 fatty acid supplement on anemia and hematologic factors in hemodialysis patients

Anemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hemodialyzed patients. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of ω3 fatty acid supplement on anemia and hematologic factors in hemodialysis patients. The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial on 34 hemodialysis patients. The patients in the ω3 fatty acid supplement group received 2080 mg ω3 fatty acid daily for 10 weeks, while the placebo group received placebo for the same period. At baseline and the end of 10th week of the study, blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, MCV, MCH, MCHC and serum CRP were measured. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using chi-square, t-test, paired t-test and ANOVA. The mean age and duration of dialysis were 50 ± 18 years and 23 ± 25 months in the ω3 fatty acid group and 50 ± 17 years and 28 ± 18 months in the placebo group, respectively. During this study, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in mean changes of blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, MCV, MCH, MCHC and serum CRP. The results of the present study indicate that ω3 fatty acid supplement has no effect on hematologic factors and anemia in hemodialysis patient.