EFFICACY OF GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ATOPIC-DERMATITIS

Of 60 patients with atopic dermatitis (30 males and 30 females, 15 - 3 0 years old) 30 were treated with gamma-linolenic acid of (C18:3 n-6) at a dosage of 274 mg twice a day; the other 30 patients were given pl acebo. The patients were treated for 12 weeks, during which their symp toms were assessed on a linear scale both by a dermatologist and by th emselves every 4 weeks. The patients who received gamma-linolenic acid , showed gradual improvements in pruritus, erythema, vesiculation and oozing, which were statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Only one patient had presented with scaling at the beginning of the study and this symptom appeared to be less influence d by the effects of gamma-linolenic acid. The assessments of symptoms made by the dermatologist were generally consistent with those made by the patients themselves. gamma-linolenic acid was found to be effecti ve and without side-effects for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.