[Oral flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum) in the treatment for dry-eye Sjögren's syndrome patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if oral flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum), which reduces the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, may help keratoconjunctivitis sicca's treatment in Sjögren's syndrome patients.


METHODS
In a randomized clinical trial, 38 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erithematosus associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjögren's syndrome were consecutively selected from patients of the Department of Rheumatology of the Amazonas University Hospital. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca diagnosis was based on a dry-eye symptom survey score (Ocular Surface Disease Index - OSDI), Schirmer-I test, fluorescein break-up time, 1% Rose Bengal staining of ocular surface measured by the van Bijsterveld scale. All patients had ocular surface inflammation evaluated and quantified by conjunctival impression cytology, before and after the study. The subjects were divided into three groups with 13 (Group I), 12 (Group II) and 13 (Group III) patients. Group I received flaxseed oil capsules with a final 1 g/day dosis, Group II flaxseed oil capsules with a final 2 g/day dosis and Group III - controls - placebo, for 180 days.


RESULTS
Comparing the results at the beginning and at the end of the treatment, statistically significant changes (p<0.05) in symptoms (OSDI), ocular surface inflammation quantified by conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer-I test and fluorescein break-up time occurred in Groups I e II when compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapy with oral flaxseed oil capsules 1 or 2 g/day reduces ocular surface inflammation and ameliorates the symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjögren's syndrome patients. Long-term studies are needed to confirm the role of this therapy for keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjögren's syndrome.
Pinheiro
Manuel Neuzimar
MN
Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil. mneuzimar@interlins.com.br
dos Santos
Procópio Miguel
PM
dos Santos
Regina Cândido Ribeiro
RC
Barros
Jeison de Nadai
Jde N
Passos
Luiz Fernando
LF
Cardoso Neto
José
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein; D006801:Humans; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D012395:Rose Bengal; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology
D010919:Placebos; D012395:Rose Bengal; D008043:Linseed Oil; D019793:Fluorescein