title: Comparative analysis of the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for hypertriglyceridaemia management in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to compare the ability of statin monotherapy (ST group), omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy (OM_A group) and combination therapy with omega-3 fatty acids and a statin (OM_S group), to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted data from the electronic medical records of patients initially prescribed either a statin or omega-3 fatty acids between January, 2009 and December, 2013. We performed a comparative analysis of the change in cholesterol levels between baseline and an average of 3 months later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data were extracted for 2071 patients. The average daily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl ester and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester intake was 1689 mg, and 79-86% of the OM_A and OM_S groups were prescribed two omega-3 fatty acid capsules. At a baseline TG level of between 200 and 500 mg/dL, TG levels were reduced by 16 ± 2·8% in the ST group, 28 ± 2·8% in the OM_A group and 29 ± 2·3% in the OM_S group (P = 0·001 for ST group vs. OM_A and OM_S groups), with no difference between the OM_A and OM_S groups. At a baseline TG level ≥500 mg/dL, there was no difference in TG level reduction between the three groups (54 ± 7·3%, 55·8 ± 3·5% and 51·8 ± 6·8%, respectively, P = 0·851).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although omega-3 fatty acids are not considered the primary medication for hypertriglyceridaemia, the prescription of omega-3 fatty acids is justifiable if reduction in TG levels is judged to be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.|Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: H-S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Baik
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Coordinating Center, Catholic Medical Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: I-Y
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.|Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: K-H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; C035276:eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: hypertriglyceridaemia; omega-3 fatty acids; statin