Role of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Treatment of Nasal Polyposis

Abstract

Background Nasal polyposis is a common disease with steroids either systemic or topical being the key element in its medical treatment. With known side effects of systemic steroids, other anti-inflammatory agents should be evaluated, preferably the natural ones. Objective To evaluate the role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of nasal polyposis. Methods This is a single-blinded randomized-controlled trial including 164 patients with grade II nasal polyposis receiving a short course of systemic steroids until subsidence of polyposis. Patients were distributed equally after into 2 groups according to maintenance therapy with group I receiving omega-3 fatty acids in a dose of 3 g per day with local budesonide nasal spray and group II receiving only local budesonide nasal spray. Both groups were compared regarding incidence and grade of recurrence of polyposis and duration from onset of maintenance therapy to onset of recurrence. Results A nonsignificant effect for omega-3 was found on the incidence of recurrence of nasal polyposis ( P = .1) and the grade of recurrent polyposis ( P = .66). However, omega-3 intake had a highly significant effect on delaying the incidence of recurrence of polyposis ( P < .0001). Conclusion Omega-3 fatty acid has a beneficial effect on delaying the incidence of recurrence of nasal polyposis through its proven anti-inflammatory mechanism of action. This minimizes the need for systemic steroid administration with its known side effects. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation should be considered while tailoring the maintenance regimen for medical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.