The Effects of Fish Oil on Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Overview

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (NLBP). Methods and Materials: Twenty-nine patients with chronic NLBP were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. For 8 weeks, participants in the experimental group received omega-3 PUFA at 3000 mg/day plus physical therapy, while those in the control group received placebo plus physical therapy. The visual analog pain scale, pressure algometer, Biering-Sorenson test, Roland-Morris Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire (RMQ), and occupational burnout inventory (OBI) were used in assessments at baseline (T0) and after 4 (T1) and 8 weeks (T2). Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were checked at baseline and T2.

Low back pain is a common symptom in modern society. However, nearly 85% of those who seek medical care for low back pain have no specific history and no specific finding in image study, and therefore do not receive a specific diagnosis. This type of low back pain is termed "nonspecific low back pain." Fish oil contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA can reduce the synthesis of prostaglandin E2. They are also the precursors of the E-resolvin and D-resolvin that suppress inflammatory cytokine production and act to resolve inflammation. Several previous studies showed that fish oil has the effect of anti-inflammation and pain reduction without side effect that affecting stomach and renal function. Therefore, fish oil is considered a new type of NSAID, and many studies are investigating its effect of anti-inflammation and pain reduction on different diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of fish oil on patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.