Efficacy of probiotics as an adjuvant therapy in atopic dermatitis: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease in children. Recent studies have suggested that probiotics might have some role in preventing and managing childhood atopic dermatitis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of probiotic in the management of patients with atopic dermatitis.

Materials & Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Dermatology of Cumilla Medical College, Cumilla, Bangladesh during February 2015 and February 2016. With informed writien consent 120 clinically diagnosed cases of AD were enrolled for the study and divided into 2 groups. Patients of group-I was given topical betamethasone dipropionate and moisturizer and group-II was topical betamethasone dipropionate and oral probiotics. Disease severity was measured by SCORing Atopic Dermatitis SCORAD at the first visit and again at 2nd, 4th and 6th week.

Results:  Out of 120 participants’ majority were in the age group of 0-5 years. Males outnumbered females in both groups. In group-1, SCORAD index at baseline was 55.25 ± 13.94, at 2nd visit 50.05 ± 14.69 and at 3rd visit was 46.70 ± 14.80. Percent of reduction from 1st visit to 3rd visit was 36.70 ± 8.70. In group-2, SCORAD index at baseline was 49.76 ± 17.25, at 2nd visit 27.39 ± 11.16 and at 3rd visit was 12.08 ± 6.87.The percent reduction of disease before and atier treatment was 78.88 ± 8.10.The outcome of two groups at the end of study was statistically significant and betier in probiotic group (p<0.05%).

Conclusion:  Probiotic is an effective adjuvant in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Keywords: Betamethasone dipropionate, Probiotics, Atopic Dermatitis (AD)