Gammalinolenic acid treatment of fatigue associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of the essential omega-6 fatty acid Gammalinolenic acid (GLA) on fatigue associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome.


METHODS
Ninety patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (with or without signs of autoimmunity) entered a 6-month double blind placebo-controlled randomised trial with high dose GLA (extracted from Evening Primrose Oil) or corn oil. The primary outcome parameter was fatigue; secondary endpoints were eye dryness, mouth dryness, muscle and joint pain.


RESULTS
No statistically significant improvement was found in fatigue assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or in the time needed for sleeping/resting during a 24-hour period. No differences were found between the treatment and placebo group. The same applies to the secondary endpoints: no differences in VAS for eye and mouth dryness or pain, no significant changes in Schirmer-1-test, van Bijsterveld score, unstimulated whole sialometry (UWS), or use of artificial tears or analgesics. Only mild side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
According to our study results GLA (Evening Primrose oil) treatment for fatigue in primary Sjögren's syndrome is ineffective.
Theander
Elke
E
Sjögren's Syndrome Research Centre, Department of Rheumatology, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden. elke.theander@medforsk.mas.lu.se
Horrobin
David F
DF
Jacobsson
Lennart T H
LT
Manthorpe
Rolf
R
D000368:Aged; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010938:Plant Oils; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid