title: Effect of PUFA on patients with hypertension: a hospital based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension affects more than a quarter of the global adult population. Studies conducted worldwide suggest an overall small, yet useful, role of omega-3 PUFAs in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. However there is no substantial data in this regard from population based in Middle East and Asia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of (omega-3) PUFA supplementation on the blood pressure of hypertensive patient. To identify if male and female hypertensive patients respond differently to PUFA. To identify if response of hypertensive patients to PUFA varies with the duration of hypertension and co-existence of diabetes/dyslipidemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study was conducted among hypertensive patients visiting OPD of the Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, UAE, during the period Jan-Dec 2012. A total of 100 hypertensive patients on treatment with their antihypertensive medications, 50 of whom were taking n-3 PUFA supplementation, were followed up for a period of 3 months. Comparisons were drawn between the BP recordings at the time of enrollment in the study and their follow up values 3 months after enrollment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant reduction in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 3 months of PUFA therapy. The BP lowering effect of PUFA was more in males. A statistically significant reduction in BP was noted in non-diabetic patients and patients with long standing hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings of the study suggest that omega-3 PUFA dietary supplements augment the benefits of pharmacotherapy in hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Asst. Professor, Department of Physiology, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, P.O. Box: 4184, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: nisha@gmu.ac.ae.
authors.forename: Nisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shantakumari
authors.affiliation: Asst. Professor, Department of Physiology, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, P.O. Box: 4184, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Rasha Ali
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Eldeeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Salwa Abdelzaher Mabrouk
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Jayadevan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sreedharan
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Sufian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Otoum
mesh_terms: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014479:United Arab Emirates
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Hypertension; PUFA; Supplements