34,35 Relapse prevention was studied in a two-year R, DB, PC trial involving 64 patients with ulcerative colitis in remission. The rate of relapse was similar in the fish oil and placebo groups. A one-year R, DB, PC trial investigated the effects of fish oil supplementation in the prevention of relapse in 78 patients with Crohn's disease in remission. Significantly more patients in the fish-oil group remained in remission. In contrast, omega-3 PUFAs did not show an effect on extending the remission in Crohn's disease in a R, DB, PC trial involving 204 patients.
Results are inconclusive.
More evidence is needed before fish oil supplementation can be recommended for preventing relapse in patients with Crohn's disease. Several DB, PC trials have found a clinical benefit with the use of fish oils in active rheumatoid arthritis. Some patients were able to reduce or discontinue their use of concomitant antirheumatic medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, further studies are required to determine the role of fish oil therapy in treating this condition. Ubiquinones are involved in mitochondrial electron transport, and thus are found in most aerobic organisms.