Efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and feasibility of optimizing preventive strategies in patients at high cardiovascular risk: rationale, design and baseline characteristics of the Rischio and Prevenzione study, a large randomised trial in general practice

The authors claim that treatment with n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acid reduces the risk of heart attacks. The claim has been made using observational research without accounting for multiple confounding factors. Correlation does not imply causation.

In n–3 Fatty Acids in Patients with Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors · 2013d101056nejmoa1205409_2013 (double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial), a similar study shows that there is no effect.

Discussed in Statistics Done Wrong: The Woefully Complete Guide
By Alex Reinhart · 2015Statistics Done Wrong (page 84).

Reference

“Efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and feasibility of optimizing preventive strategies in patients at high cardiovascular risk: rationale, design and baseline characteristics of the Rischio and Prevenzione study, a large randomised trial in general practice” (2010) DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-11-68

@Article{d101186174562151168_2010,
  title = {Efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and feasibility of optimizing preventive strategies in patients at high cardiovascular risk: rationale, design and baseline characteristics of the Rischio and Prevenzione study, a large randomised trial in general practice},
  volume = {11},
  issn = {1745-6215},
  url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-11-68},
  doi = {10.1186/1745-6215-11-68},
  number = {1},
  journal = {Trials},
  publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},
  year = {2010},
  month = {may}
}