Additional probiotic therapy lowers SCORAD index in children with atopic dermatitis
Abstract: Atopic dermatitis
(AD) is a common skin disease that is usually chronic, relapsing, causing
pruritus and frequent in children. The pathogenesis of AD involves genetic,
immunological and environmental factors causing skin barrier dysfunction and
dysregulation of the immune system. Probiotic treatment has been claimed to
offer several functional properties including stimulation of the immune system
and plays an important role in AD. The objective of this study was to evaluate
the effect of probiotic therapy on atopic dermatitis in children.
A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 62 children suffering from
AD from December 2015 to January 2016. AD severity was assessed based on the
scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Subjects were divided into two
groups consisting of 32 and 30 children, the probiotic (probiotic + emollient)
and control (emollient) groups, respectively. SCORAD index was re-evaluated
after 2 weeks of therapy. The data was analyzed using Mann Whitney test.
After the intervention, the mean SCORAD index in the probiotic group was
significantly much lower than the control group (18.09 ± 8.59 vs 23.21 ± 8.71;
p=0.001). The mean decrease in SCORAD index in the probiotic group was 40.4 %,
much higher than the control group 25.2%. The number needed to treat (NNT)
score of probiotic treatment was 5.3.
The addition of probiotics to conventional therapy effectively lowers
SCORAD index by 40.4% in atopic dermatitis. The impact of probiotics on SCORAD
indices is thought to be attained by modification of the immunogenicity of
potential allergens.
Author: Jessica Ekaputri, Rita
Evalina, Melda Deliana
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160065