title: Efficacy of gamma-linolenic acid in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Of 60 patients with atopic dermatitis (30 males and 30 females, 15-30 years old) 30 were treated with gamma-linolenic acid of (C18:3 n-6) at a dosage of 274 mg twice a day; the other 30 patients were given placebo. The patients were treated for 12 weeks, during which their symptoms were assessed on a linear scale both by a dermatologist and by themselves every 4 weeks. The patients who received gamma-linolenic acid, showed gradual improvements in pruritus, erythema, vesiculation and oozing, which were statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Only one patient had presented with scaling at the beginning of the study and this symptom appeared to be less influenced by the effects of gamma-linolenic acid. The assessments of symptoms made by the dermatologist were generally consistent with those made by the patients themselves. gamma-linolenic acid was found to be effective and without side-effects for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreassi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forleo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Lorio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amerio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid