ω-3 Fatty Acids for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Patients with Diabetes

Many patients take ω-3 fatty acid supplements — some self-initiated and some prescribed by physicians — for primary or secondary prevention of adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. However, recent trials have cast doubt on the effectiveness of such supplementation. In this latest contribution (the ORIGIN trial), 12,500 patients were randomized to receive a 1-g ω-3 fatty acid capsule (Omacor) or placebo daily. All patients had well-controlled type 2 diabetes (requiring, at most, one oral agent and no insulin) or prediabetes, and all patients had histories of either previous adverse CV events (59%) or documented arterial disease. Many were taking aspirin, statins, β-blockers, and angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitors. Another component of th…