Does dietary supplementation of cod liver oil mitigate musculoskeletal pain?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between dietary supplementation of cod liver oil and the intensity of pain in people with musculoskeletal pain.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Data from the Norwegian Health Survey 1985.


METHODS
All adult respondents who had reported musculoskeletal pain (n = 4490).


METHODS
Intensity of musculoskeletal pain as assessed by self reports during an interview.


RESULTS
In logistic regression analyses (adjusting for age, gender, socioeconomic status, civil status, smoking habits, physical exercise, mental distress, and use of medicines), there was a negative association between regular intake of cod liver oil during the previous week and intense pain (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.56-1.00; P = 0.048) and considerable/intense pain (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67-1.00; P = 0.045). The association was stronger in the 33% of the respondents who reported a musculoskeletal disease, as expressed by the relationship of cod liver oil to intense pain (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43-0.95; P = 0.028) and considerable/intense pain (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.54-1.03; P = 0.076). The association varied between diagnostic groups, and was not seen in people who did not report a musculoskeletal disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that people with musculoskeletal pain experience less pain if they take cod liver oil.
Eriksen
W
W
Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, University of Oslo, Norway.
Sandvik
L
L
Bruusgaard
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003060:Cod Liver Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009141:Musculoskeletal System; D009664:Norway; D010146:Pain / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003060:Cod Liver Oil