Prevention of Vaso-occlusive Painful Crisis by Using Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements

Omega 3 Fatty Acid Therapy for Prevention of Vaso-occlusive Crisis and Manifestations in Omani Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

140 SCD patients [70 on Hydroxyurea] will receive Omega-3 capsules whereas another 140 SCD patients [70 on Hydroxyurea] will receive placebo and will be recruited from the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital [SQUH] haematology specialty clinics. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive placebo or Omega-3 for 52 weeks. The aim is to investigate the therapeutic potential of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of vaso-occlusive crisis in Omani patients with sickle cell disease[SCD].

Inclusion Criteria:

• Moderate to severe Sickle cell disease patients.
• Patients already receiving Hydroxyurea[HU] are eligible for the study.
• Patients able and willing to comply with the procedures in the study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute episodes (infection, vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), acute chest syndrome (ACS), stroke, priapism, splenic sequestration) in the past one month before enrolment.
• Previous stroke, and other co-morbid diseases like Essential Hypertension, Cardiomyopathy and Heart failure, Diabetes, Chronic Renal Failure.
• Patients with a history of adverse reaction to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
• Blood transfusion in the previous 3 months.