Fish oil beneficial against psoriasis

The use of fish oil and its components may yield favourable effects on psoriasis and its comorbidities, namely obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease, when combined with conventional treatments, as reported in a recent study.

Researchers performed a quantitative systematic review and searched multiple online databases for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of fish oil and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) in the treatment of psoriasis. They also conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effects of the said intervention for managing comorbidities.

The search yielded 75 studies, of which 18 randomized controlled trials involving 927 participants met inclusion criteria. Pooled data showed that the use of fish oil or ω-3 PUFAs alone had a null effect on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score (p=0.47), lesion area (p=0.34) or pruritus (p=0.62).

However, when used in addition to conventional treatments, fish oil or ω-3 PUFAs conferred reductions in PASI score (mean difference [MD], −3.92, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], −6.15 to −1.69; p=0.0006) and lesion area (MD, −30.00, 95 percent CI, −33.82 to −26.18; p<0.0001).

Subgroup analysis showed no significant differences in adverse events between groups that received fish oil (risk ratio [RR], 4.45, 95 percent CI, 0.52–38.16; p=0.17) or ω-3 PUFAs (RR, 1.41, 95 percent CI, 0.53–3.74; p=0.49) and the control.

Finally, fish oil or ω-3 PUFAs produced improvements in certain risk factors for obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease in psoriatic patients, as well as regulated several inflammatory mediators.