Korean J Dermatol.  2023 Jun;61(5):283-292.

Effects of Gamma-Linolenic Acid Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Survey Study

• Doh JY
• Oh HJ
• Kim YH
• Lee JH

Abstract

Background
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory dermatosis. Whether gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) supplementation is beneficial in AD patients remains debatable.
Objective
This study investigated whether adjuvant GLA supplementation is associated with clinical improvement in AD patients receiving systemic treatment, as assessed by patient-reported outcome measures.
Methods
We enrolled 70 AD patients. Patients who received GLA at a dose of 80∼160 mg/d for over 1 month were included in the GLA group, while others were included in the non-GLA group. Each group was subgrouped into control, immunomodulator, and dupilumab groups based on treatment history. The patients evaluated their symptoms using the Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT), Patient Global Assessment of Disease (PGA), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).
Results
The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare differences in ADCT, PGA, and DLQI between both groups. The ADCT scores were significantly lower in the control and immunomodulatory group supplemented with GLA (control U=13.5, p=0.04; immunomodulatory U=28.0, p=0.01), but not in patients taking dupilumab (U=44.5, p=0.70). The PGA and DLQI scores also tended to be lower in the GLA group than those in the non-GLA group.
Conclusion
GLA supplementation is a potential adjuvant to systemic therapy may yield additional symptomatic relief in AD patients.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Evening primrose oil; Gamma-linolenic acid