Introduction: Omega (n) 3 fatty acids (FAs) are essential dietary lipids with anti-inflammatory and inflammation-resolving properties with links to attenuated lung function decline and burden of chronic lung disease. Sarcoidosis patients have been found to have overall lower levels of n-3 FA, which was predictive of disease itself. However, to our knowledge, there is a lack of understanding in the association between n-3 FA intake and clinical outcomes in sarcoidosis.

Objectives: To assess the association between Omega-3 FA dietary intake, specifically Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and clinical outcomes in a sarcoidosis population.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included adults ≥ 18 years of age with biopsy proven sarcoidosis, pulmonary involvement, and prescribed oral sarcoidosis treatment were recruited from the Johns Hopkins Sarcoidosis Clinic. The validated Diet History Questionnaire III (DHQIII) was administered. Multivariable linear, logistic, and ordinal regression were used to evaluate the association between financial strain and HRQoL, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and subjective dyspnea, as appropriate.

Results: Seventy individuals were included in the nutritional analyses. Participants had a median age of 59 years, 61% were female, and 34% were Black. The median calorie intake per day was 1382 kcal (IQR 948-1990), median ALA intake was 0.79 g/day (IQR 0.58-1.43). The median EPA + DHA intake was 0.065 g/day (IQR 0.03-0.15) with only three individuals within the cohort reported taking the recommended daily dose of 0.5g/day. Higher EPA+DHA levels were associated with significantly lower odds of dyspnea. 

Conclusions: We found individuals in our cohort have significantly lower omega-3 intake compared to dietary recommendations and that higher omega-3 intake was associated with lower odds of dyspnea. Increased Omega-3 intake may provide a nutritional opportunity to improve clinical outcomes in sarcoidosis.