Fish oil supplements for treatment of psoriasis: An overview of systematic reviews

Abstract

Abstract Background: Fish oil, known for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, has been reported to alleviate psoriasis symptoms. However, systematic reviews (SRs) on this topic have yielded inconsistent conclusions. Objectives: The objective was to compile the existing evidence concerning the efficacy of fish oil supplements for psoriasis, explore the possible reasons behind contradictory findings, and examine potential limitations. Methods: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase databases, covering the period from their respective inception to January 25, 2023. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) tool. The effects of fish oil supplements were evaluated using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, total body surface area (TBSA), erythema, scaling, infiltrations, pruritus, and any major or minor adverse events. Results: Eight SRs were included, with four demonstrating favorable improvements in psoriasis and the remaining four showing no similar benefits. Specifically, three SRs reported significant reductions in PASI score, one reported lower TBSA, two indicated improvements in either erythema, scaling, or infiltrations, and one supported a high dose of fish oil for alleviating pruritus. Three SRs highlighted the potential benefits of fish oil supplements as a combined therapy with conventional treatments. No serious adverse events were reported. Notably, none of the SRs achieved a high methodological quality rating based on AMSTAR-2. Conclusion: There is a lack of consistent evidence supporting the effectiveness of fish oil supplements for treating psoriasis. Further research is warranted to better understand the potential benefits of fish oil in managing psoriasis.