Therapeutic approach with fatty acids in psoriasis: A systematic review

This study aims to evaluate the clinical impacts of topical and/or oral administration of compounds rich in omega-3 fatty acids from various sources, such as oils and foods, on psoriatic lesions.

A systematic review was carried out.

Searches were conducted in six databases (PubMed, Cochrane, VHL, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) using descriptors related to fatty acids and psoriasis.

Inclusion criteria were studies published in the last 10 years (2013-2023) that involved patients with psoriasis and provided quantitative clinical outcome data, such as psoriasis severity scale.

Two independent reviewers carried out the initial screening of the titles and abstracts identified in the search. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, the Risk of Bias in Randomized Studies of Interventions, and the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist.

Out of 8570 articles identified, 9 met the inclusion criteria. The quality of randomized clinical trials and observational studies varied from low to high risk of bias, according to the respective parameters of each checklist.

Most studies demonstrated that the topical and/or oral administration of omega-3 fatty acids from different sources significantly improved clinical parameters, as measured by severity scales and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).