Evening primrose oil (Epogam®) in the treatment of chronic hand dermatitis: Disappointing therapeutic results

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorWhitaker D.K.
dc.contributor.authorCilliers J.
dc.contributor.authorDe Beer C.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:16:13Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:16:13Z
dc.date.issued1996
dc.description.abstractBackground: Hand dermatitis is a common therapeutic challenge with limited and unsatisfactory therapy modules. A possible beneficial role of oral evening primrose oil needs to be investigated. Objective: Pharmacological doses of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) could improve the water permeability barrier of the epidermis in chronic hand dermatitis. Clinical improvement, changes in the lipogram and epidermal lipid composition could define functional improvement of the skin. Electron-microscopic evaluation of the epidermal lipid bilayer could underline the efficacy of essential fatty acids in chronic hand dermatitis. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with chronic (> 1 year), stable hand dermatitis entered a 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Patch test with the European standard of allergens, haematogram and serum IgE values were determined before commencement of the study. Active therapy (600 mg/day of GLA) was administered to half the patient group. Medication was given for 16 weeks and observations continued for another 8 weeks. Patients were assessed clinically, using a visual analogue scale at 4-week intervals. Plasma and red blood cell lipogram's, as well as skin biopsies, were taken before therapy, after the 16-week supplementation period and at week 24. Tissue was used for histological evaluation, electron-microscopic assessment and epidermal lipid analysis. Results: Improvement in clinical parameters was present in the Epogam® and placebo groups, but no statistical difference could be confirmed between the groups. Haematogram, blood and epidermal biochemistry were normal at baseline. No change in the lipid composition of plasma red cells or epidermis could be detected during the trial. Ultrastructurally skin specimens showed no change during the study period. Conclusion: The study indicates that the therapeutic value of orally administered GLA for chronic hand dermatitis is not superior to that of placebo.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationDermatology
dc.identifier.citation193
dc.identifier.citation2
dc.identifier.issn10188665
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/13688
dc.subjectgamma linolenic acid
dc.subjectprimrose oil
dc.subjectadult
dc.subjectaged
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectclinical article
dc.subjectclinical trial
dc.subjectcontrolled clinical trial
dc.subjectcontrolled study
dc.subjectdermatitis
dc.subjectdouble blind procedure
dc.subjectepidermis
dc.subjecthand disease
dc.subjecthuman
dc.subjectlipid blood level
dc.subjectlipid composition
dc.subjectoral drug administration
dc.subjectpatch test
dc.subjectpriority journal
dc.subjectrandomized controlled trial
dc.subjectskin biopsy
dc.subjecttime
dc.subjectwater permeability
dc.subjectAdministration, Oral
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectAged
dc.subjectAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
dc.subjectChronic Disease
dc.subjectDermatologic Agents
dc.subjectDouble-Blind Method
dc.subjectEpidermis
dc.subjectErythrocytes
dc.subjectFatty Acids, Essential
dc.subjectgamma-Linolenic Acid
dc.subjectHand Dermatoses
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectLinoleic Acids
dc.subjectLipid Bilayers
dc.subjectLipid Metabolism
dc.subjectLipids
dc.subjectMicroscopy, Electron
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectPermeability
dc.subjectPlacebos
dc.subjectPlant Oils
dc.subjectSkin
dc.subjectWater
dc.titleEvening primrose oil (Epogam®) in the treatment of chronic hand dermatitis: Disappointing therapeutic results
dc.typeArticle
Files
Collections
Stellenbosch University - Scopus Tygerberg Hospital Publications