title: Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of Honevo, a topical 90% medical-grade kanuka honey, and 10% glycerine (honey product) as a treatment for facial acne.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trial with single blind assessment of primary outcome variable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient primary care from 3 New Zealand localities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 136 participants aged between 16 and 40 years with a diagnosis of acne and baseline Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) for acne score of ≥ 2.68, participants were randomised to each treatment arm.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants applied Protex, a triclocarban-based antibacterial soap twice daily for 12 weeks. Participants randomised to the honey product treatment arm applied this directly after washing off the antibacterial soap, twice daily for 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was ≥ 2 point decrease in IGA score from baseline at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included mean lesion counts and changes in subject-rated acne improvement and severity at weeks 4 and 12, and withdrawals for worsening acne.
  
  
  RESULTS
  4/53 (7.6%) participants in the honey product group and 1/53 (1.9%) of participants in the control group had a ≥ 2 improvement in IGA score at week 12, compared with baseline, OR (95% CI) for improvement 4.2 (0.5 to 39.3), p=0.17. There were 15 and 14 participants who withdrew from the honey product group and control group, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This randomised controlled trial did not find evidence that addition of medical-grade kanuka honey in combination with 10% glycerine to standard antibacterial soap treatment is more effective than the use of antibacterial soap alone in the treatment of acne.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12614000003673; Results.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semprini
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5327-3027
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
authors.affiliation: Clinical Horizons, Tauranga, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corin
authors.affiliation: Papamoa Pines Medical Centre, Tauranga, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Davitt
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sheahan
authors.affiliation: Cameron Medical Clinic, Tauranga, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tofield
authors.affiliation: Clinical Horizons, Tauranga, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Helm
authors.affiliation: Optimal Clinical Trials, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Barney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fingleton
authors.affiliation: University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weatherall
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beasley
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000628:therapy*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006722:Honey / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D031648:Kunzea; D008297:Male; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012915:Soaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012915:Soaps; D005990:Glycerol
keywords: COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE; Kanuka honey; Randomised controlled trial
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