Open trial of supplements of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in atopic dermatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the omega 3 series (n-3 PUFA: 18:3, n-3; 20:5, n-3; and 22:6, n-3), the omega 6 series (n-6 PUFA: 18:3, n-6), vitamins and minerals have a clinical effect on atopic dermatitis.


METHODS
A total of 19 patients aged 17-43 years with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis participated in an open trial of high oral doses of n-3 and n-6 PUFA in dry form (powder) or omega 3,6,9 fatty acid capsules, vitamin E tablets (d-alpha-tocopherol), zinc solution or tablets, and multivitamin capsules daily for 16 weeks.


RESULTS
The mean SCORAD improved in 14 of 17 patients by more than 50% after 8 weeks and 16 weeks of treatment (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The open nature of this trial and the small number of subjects are major limitations of this study. The possible role of dietary omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in the treatment of atopic dermatitis should be tested more extensively in a double-blind trial using high doses of antioxidants combined with PUFA.
Eriksen
Bondevik Bjørn
BB
Dr Bondeviks Dermatological Clinic, Oslo, Norway. bbondevi@online.no
Kåre
Dotterud Lars
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D014810:Vitamin E; D015032:Zinc