Investigation of Krill Oil in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome

Investigation of Krill Oil in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind, Parallel Group Study with Different Dosages

In this study the effects of different dosages and preparations of krill oil in comparison to placebo on symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in healthy, female adults will be assessed.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Premenstrual Syndrome

Detailed Description

The study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group trial, in which the effect of krill oil is investigated in healthy female volunteers showing premenstrual symptoms. The study period covers a time period over 6 menstrual cycles of women under which the first two cycles are recorded to assess baseline conditions followed by a 4-cycle supplementation phase. Volunteers are randomly allocated to the 5 study groups including placebo and 4 different dosages and formulations of krill oil. Over the whole study period, volunteers report daily their symptoms in the validated questionnaire DRSP. Mood state and quality of life are assessed at baseline and after two and 4 cycles of supplementation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 179
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject is able and willing to sign the Informed Consent Form prior to screening evaluations
• Age: 20 - 50 years
• Sex: female
• Premenopausal
• Regular menstrual bleeding
• History of and presence of PMS symptoms of at least 6 months
• Subject is in good physical and mental health as established by medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, vital signs, results of biochemistry, haematology

Exclusion Criteria:

• BMI: < 19 kg/m2, ≥ 30 kg/m2
• Heavy smoker >15 cigarettes / day
• Known pregnancy, breast feeding or intention to become pregnant during the course of the study
• No use of acceptable contraceptive method during the study
• Menstrual cycle lasting less than 24 / longer than 35 days
• Hormone treatment because of premenstrual symptoms
• Diagnosed premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS
• Regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. nutritional supplements) within previous 3 months or during the study course
• Fish consumption of more than 1 serving of fatty fish (e.g herring, mackerel, salmon) per week
• Relevant allergy or known hypersensitivity against compounds of the study preparations
• Unstable medical illness or relevant history or presence of any medical disorder, potentially interfering with this study (e.g. volunteers having experienced any cardiovascular events such as infarction, angina, surgical endocoronary intervention, stroke in the last 6 months or psychiatric disorders / psychoactive medication)
• Clinically relevant abnormal laboratory, ECG, vital signs or physical findings at screening
• Intake of medication potentially interfering with this study
• Known malabsorption / maldigestion
• Drug-, alcohol- and medication abuses
• Known HIV-infection
• Known acute or chronic hepatitis B and C infection
• Blood donation within 2 weeks prior to study start (day 1) or during study
• Participation in any other clinical study within the last 30 days prior to study start or during the study
• Any other condition that, based on Investigator's judgement, makes the subject unfit for inclusion into study
• Anticipating any planned changes in lifestyle for the duration of the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Measurement of reduction in premenstrual symptoms in the late luteal phase	Reduction in premenstrual symptoms in the late luteal phase, as measured by the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP), following supplementation with 2 g krill oil compared to placebo. All other products are assessed as secondary outcomes.	Daily from baseline to study completion, up to 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Measurement of total DRSP score in mid follicular phase	Measures the overall severity of symptoms using the Daily Rating of Severity of Problems (DRSP) scale during the mid-follicular phase. It combines daily ratings to reflect symptom intensity for this specific phase.	Daily from baseline to study completion, up to 6 months
Measurement of physical Items Subscore	The Physical Items Subscore assesses the severity and frequency of physical symptoms experienced by participants, such as fatigue, headaches, and muscle pain. These symptoms are evaluated daily using a standardized scale, where each symptom is rated based on intensity and impact on daily functioning. The scores in scale points are combined to create a subscore representing the overall physical symptom burden.	Daily from baseline to study completion, for up to 6 months
Measurement of mood Items Subscore	This subscore assesses the severity of mood-related symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability, rated daily on a standardized scale. Scores in scale points reflect the overall emotional symptom burden.	Daily from baseline to study completion, up to 6 months
Measurement of physical Items Subscore	The Physical Items Subscore assesses the severity and frequency of physical symptoms experienced by participants, such as fatigue, headaches, and muscle pain. These symptoms are evaluated daily using a standardized scale, where each symptom is rated based on intensity and impact on daily functioning. The scores in scale points are then combined to create a subscore representing the overall physical symptom burden.	Daily from baseline to study completion, for up to 6 months.
Measurement of total Score on Q-LES-Q SF	Evaluates overall quality of life using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q SF). This score reflects the combined daily assessments of various life satisfaction and enjoyment domains given in scale points.	Daily from baseline to study completion, up to 6 months
Measurement of quantity of analgesics consumed	Tracks the number of analgesic doses taken daily by participants. This measure reflects the overall usage of pain relief medication throughout the study.	Daily from baseline to study completion, up to 6 months
Measurement of total mood disturbance score on POMS	Assesses the overall mood disturbance using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) scale. This score given in scale points combines daily ratings to indicate the intensity of mood disturbances experienced by participants.	Daily from baseline to study completion, for up to 6 months
Measurement of proportion of responders with 50% reduction in late luteal phase symptoms	Measures the percentage of participants who show a 50% reduction in symptoms during the late luteal phase. This reflects the effectiveness of the intervention in alleviating symptoms during this phase.	Daily from baseline to study completion, up to 6 months
Measurement of Omega-3 Index	Assesses the Omega-3 Index by measuring the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cells. This reflects the level of Omega-3 fatty acids, indicating dietary intake and compliance.	Baseline and at 6 months post-intervention
Measurement of global assessment score at visits 4 and 6	Evaluates overall health and symptom severity during study visits 4 and 6 using a standardized scale. This score reflects participants' general condition at these specific time points.	At 4 and 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Aker BioMarine Human Ingredients AS

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 23, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 11, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): August 23, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 28, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 2, 2024
• First Posted (Estimated): September 5, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 5, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 2, 2024
• Last Verified: September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: inflammation; omega-3 fatty acids; premenstrual syndrome; krill oil
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease; Menstruation Disturbances; Syndrome; Premenstrual Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: AKBM041H

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No