Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Abstract Pruritus is a prevalent skin condition in end-stage renal disease patients. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce pruritus in hemodialysis patients. Our objective was to assess the effect of 3 g/day omega-3 supplementation on pruritus among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Methods: In this two-period, two-sequence crossover randomized clinical trial, 40 eligible subjects (CAPD patients who complained of pruritus for more than 8 weeks) were randomized to 3 g of omega-3 (n = 20) or identical placebo capsules (n = 20) for 4 weeks. After a wash-out period of 6 weeks, patients were crossed over to the alternate treatment option. Pruritus intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline, 2-and 4-weeks post-intervention in each study period. Both patients and investigators were blinded to the study protocol. Findings: No significant carry-over effect was detected. The mean pruritus score (VAS) in the omega-3 group compared with placebo group after the first (−3.02 vs. −0.48, P < 0.001) and second (−4.09 vs. −0.43, P < 0.001) intervention periods showed higher significant decrease. Conclusion: In summary, omega-3 supplementation is an effective treatment for pruritus alleviation in CAPD patients. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying antipruritic effects of omega-3.

Abstract Objective: Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are two major risk factors for cardiovascular disease 
in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This study was designed to investigate 
the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on blood pressure (BP) and serum lipids in CAPD patients.
Methods: This study was a randomized double‑blind clinical trial in which 90 CAPD patients 
were randomly assigned to either the omega‑3 or the placebo group. Patients in omega‑3 
group received 3 g/day omega‑3 for 8 weeks, whereas patients in the control group received 
placebo. At baseline and at the end of 8 weeks, the patients’ BP was controlled, and serum 
biochemistry was measured.
Findings: Mean systolic BP decreased (–22.2 ± 14.2 mmHg) in the omega‑3 group at the end 
of the study while in the placebo group increased (+0.5 ± 30.2 mmHg) (P < 0.0001). Mean 
diastolic BP of the omega‑3 group decreased more (–11.95 ± 11.9 mmHg) comparing with 
the placebo group (–1.1 ± 17.3 mmHg) (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences 
between the two groups in mean changes in serum triglyceride, and total, high‑density 
lipoprotein, and low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that omega‑3 reduced BP significantly but 
had no effect on lipid profile in our CAPD patients.