Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia in Japan: a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study (OCEAN3 survey)

Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2023 Jan;22(1):81-90. doi: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2094914. Epub 2022 Jul 8.

Abstract

Background: Studies on the efficacy of prescription omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to reduce cardiovascular events have produced conflicting results.

Research design and methods: This 3-year prospective post-marketing surveillance study evaluated the effect of omega-3-acid ethyl esters (O3AEE; usual dosage 2 g/day) on cardiovascular events in high-risk statin-treated Japanese patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Statin-treated patients not receiving O3AEE were included as a reference cohort. The composite primary endpoint was cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, angina requiring coronary revascularization, or peripheral arterial disease requiring surgery or peripheral arterial intervention.

Results: At 3 years, Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative incidence of the primary endpoint was 2.5% (95% confidence interval, 2.1%-2.9%) in O3AEE-treated patients (N = 6,580) and 2.7% (2.4%-3.1%) in non-O3AEE-treated patients (N = 7,784; hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.23). Incidence of heart failure requiring hospitalization was 0.4% with O3AEE versus 0.8% in non-O3AEE-treated patients (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.78; P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Among patients receiving statins, cardiovascular event incidence did not differ significantly between O3AEE-treated patients and non-O3AEE-treated patients. Further studies are required before definitive conclusions can be drawn on the effect of O3AEE on cardiovascular event incidence in high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02285166.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; hypertriglyceridemia; omega-3-acid ethyl esters; real-world evidence.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors*
  • Hypertriglyceridemia*
  • Japan
  • Product Surveillance, Postmarketing
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02285166