DO DIETARY FISH OIL CONSUMPTION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION IMPACT THE DURATION, FREQUENCY AND PERCEIVED SEVERITY OF ATTACKS IN PATIENTS WITH RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON?
Authors: Foley Kourtney R , Kurti Stephanie P , Harms Craig A , Mailey Emily L 
Published: November 2023

INTRODUCTION

Raynaud's phenomenon is a disease characterized by temporary vasoconstriction of the digits due to a number of causes. Although the literature focuses on prescription medications to treat Raynaud's patients, it is important to consider the impact of lifestyle (i.e. diet and physical activity (PA)) on the severity of symptoms, duration of attacks, and quality of life for the Raynaud's sufferer. Specifically, the literature has reported consumption of dietary fish oil (or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) has vasodilatory effects, which may attenaute the painful syptoms that result from the excessive vasoconstriction in the peripheral vascular beds. Additionally, PA is a natural anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant that may protect against the stimulus that causes vasoconstriction. Therefore the purpose of this study is to investigate whether dietary fish oil consumption and PA impact the severity of symptoms, frequency, and duration of attacks in Raynaud's patients.

METHODS

Surveys were completed by participants recruited from the Raynaud's Associaitons nationwide (n=446, 336 F/130 M). All subjects were included in the study regardless of age, health, medications and location. The group of participants (35.5±11.2 years of age, height: 159.6±14.9 cm, weight: 67.4±17.7 kg) completed a series of validated questionnaires online. The international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to determine moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The Raynaud's condition score was used to assess the severity, duration and percieved diffuclty of symptoms on daily activities. The omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids questionnaire measured dietary consumption of EPA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and α‐linoleic acid, which were summed for total fish oil consumption.

RESULTS

In patients with Raynaud's, the total consumption of dietary fish oil did not impact the length of Raynaud's attacks (r= −0.006, p=0.923) or the frequency of the attacks (r=0.072, p=0.233); however patients that indicated they percieved their Raynaud's to be very difficult consumed the highest amounts of fish oil (r=0.196, p=<0.001). In regards to PA, patients that engaged in the greatest amount of MVPA per week percieved their condition to be less dificult (p<0.001), experienced the shortest attacks (p=0.003) and had the lowest number of attacks per week (p<0.001). Patients that reported the highest sitting time per week experienced more attacks per week (r=0.222, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that consumption of fish oil is not related to the length or frequency of attacks. However, it appears that achieving higher amounts of PA per week may be effective in attenuating painful symptoms and perceived difficulty of the disease, while increased sitting time is associated with more attacks per week. These findings indicate lifestyle modifications are important to consider when advising patients on management of symptoms associated with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Support or Funding Information

Kansas State University Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry Undergraduate Research Grant