Xi Chen1, Seokgyeong Hong1, Xiaoying Sun2, Wenbin Xu1, Hongjin Li2, Tian Ma1, Qi Zheng3, Huaibo Zhao1, Yaqiong Zhou2, Yan Qiang4, Bin Li1, Xin Li1. 1. Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. 2. Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. 3. Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Dermatology Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. 4. Department of Dermatology, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University (preparatory stage), Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Fish oil and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory properties, but their effect on psoriasis and its comorbidities remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this quantitative systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fish oil and its components in the treatment of psoriasis and its comorbidities. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Network Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to March 30, 2019. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials were eligible for inclusion if they measured the effect of fish oil and its components in the treatment of patients with psoriasis. DATA EXTRACTION: Eighteen randomized controlled trials involving 927 study participants were included. RESULTS: Monotherapy with fish oil or ω-3 PUFAs had no effect on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score (P = 0.47), lesion area (P = 0.34), or pruritus (P = 0.62). Fish oil or ω-3 PUFAs combined with conventional treatments, however, resulted in a decreased PASI score (mean difference [MD], -3.92; 95%CI, -6.15 to -1.69; P = 0.0006) and lesion area (MD, -30.00; 95%CI, -33.82 to -26.18; P < 0.0001). Safety evaluation suggested no between-group differences. Fish oil and its components reduced certain risk factors for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease in patients with psoriasis and also regulated several inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, when combined with conventional treatments, fish oil and its components may have beneficial effects on psoriasis and its comorbidities, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42019128631.
CONTEXT: Fish oil and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory properties, but their effect on psoriasis and its comorbidities remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this quantitative systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fish oil and its components in the treatment of psoriasis and its comorbidities. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Network Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to March 30, 2019. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials were eligible for inclusion if they measured the effect of fish oil and its components in the treatment of patients with psoriasis. DATA EXTRACTION: Eighteen randomized controlled trials involving 927 study participants were included. RESULTS: Monotherapy with fish oil or ω-3 PUFAs had no effect on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score (P = 0.47), lesion area (P = 0.34), or pruritus (P = 0.62). Fish oil or ω-3 PUFAs combined with conventional treatments, however, resulted in a decreased PASI score (mean difference [MD], -3.92; 95%CI, -6.15 to -1.69; P = 0.0006) and lesion area (MD, -30.00; 95%CI, -33.82 to -26.18; P < 0.0001). Safety evaluation suggested no between-group differences. Fish oil and its components reduced certain risk factors for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease in patients with psoriasis and also regulated several inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, when combined with conventional treatments, fish oil and its components may have beneficial effects on psoriasis and its comorbidities, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42019128631.