A randomized double-blind study to investigate the clinical efficacy of adding a non-migrating antimicrobial to a special silk fabric in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A randomized, double-blind study designed to compare the efficacy of DermaSilk versus a sleeve of similar structure but minus the AEM 5772/5 antimicrobial finish in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD).

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the clinical effect of adding an antimicrobial finish to knitted silk garments on eczema severity and on pruritus in patients with AD.

METHODS:

Thirty patients aged between 3 and 31 years (mean 14.2 +/- 7.7) were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was that the patients presented with active AD with eczematous lesions located on the arms without any sign of infection. Each participant was given a set of 4 pairs of knitted silk tubular sleeves marked with seams of different colours. Only one colour was treated with AEGIS AEM 5772/5. This information was unknown to both the clinicians and the patients/parents. At baseline (T0) and after 7 (T7), 14 (T14), 21 (T21) and 28 (T28) days, the patients were evaluated using the following methods: photographic assessment, local modified SCORAD index adapted for only the arm, and parent/patient assessment of pruritus measured with a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS:

The mean local SCORAD index of both the DermaSilk- and the unmodified-silk-covered arms decreased significantly between baseline (T0) and the end of study (T28). However, while the Derma-Silk group showed a constant decrease each week, the unmodified-silk group showed a significant decrease only in the first 2 weeks of the study. Also the decrease in pruritus values between T0 and T28 was greater for the DermaSilk group.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates the importance of including the AEM 5772/5 finish to the specially knitted silk for a long-term improvement of atopic eczema symptoms.

• Authors: Giuseppe Stinco, Fabio Piccirillo, Francesca Valent
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 217 Issue 3 Pg. 191-5 ( 2008) ISSN: 1421-9832 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 18583910 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Silk

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anti-Infective Agents (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Clothing
• Dermatitis, Atopic (therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Pruritus (therapy)
• Silk
• Textiles