Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39960912›Full record

SynthesisMedicine2025

Krill oil for knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Jiahao Meng, Xuanyu Wang, Yinghui Li, Yuqing Xiang, Yumei Wu, Yilin Xiong, Pan Liu, Shuguang Gao

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jiahao MengDepartment of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Xuanyu WangDepartment of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Yinghui LiFaculty of law, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Yuqing XiangDepartment of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Yumei WuDepartment of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Yilin XiongDepartment of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Pan LiuDepartment of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Shuguang GaoDepartment of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.ORCID 0000-0003-1135-7876

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundKnee osteoarthritis, a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, significantly impacts global health and quality of life. Unfortunately, there is no disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs until now. Krill oil is being explored as a potential alternative, however its efficacy in managing knee symptoms remains unclear. Therefore, the meta-analysis of krill oil in knee osteoarthritis would be interesting and useful.

methodsWe conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception through November 28, 2024, employing predefined search terms, including "krill oil" and "knee osteoarthritis." We included all relevant randomized controlled trials to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Visual analog scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) of pain, stiffness and function were served as primary outcomes. Moreover, blood markers and adverse events were also included.

resultsFive randomized controlled trials involving 730 participants were included. Relative to the usual care group, the krill oil group demonstrated no significant improvement in knee osteoarthritis as measured by visual analog scale; however, it exhibited significant benefits in terms of pain (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.99 to -0.21), stiffness (SMD -0.59; 95%CI -1.04 to -0.14), and functional outcomes (SMD -0.68; 95% CI -1.09 to -0.27) based on WOMAC assessments. Analysis of blood markers also revealed no significant effects of krill oil group compared to the usual care group. Moreover, adverse events in the krill oil group and usual care group also showed no statistical difference. The safety profiles were similar between the 2 groups.

conclusionKrill oil presents as a promising safe therapeutic option for knee osteoarthritis; however, its efficacy in pain relief requires further investigation.

Indexed as

EuphausiaceaOilsOsteoarthritis, KneeAnimalsHumansPain MeasurementRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeOils

Identifiers

PMID39960912
PMCPMC11835064

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.