The effect of combined fish oil and evening primrose oil (Efamol Marine) on the remission phase of psoriasis: A 7-month double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

A total of 51 patients with chronic stable plaque psoriasis extensive enough to warrant hospital admission were entered in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. They were treated with conventional tar and dithranol, and at the same time randomly allocated to receive either 12 × 500 mg capsules of combined fish oil and evening primrose oil (Efamol Marine) or 12 capsules of placebo (liquid paraffin) daily to ascertain whether their remission period could be prolonged. They were assessed 1, 4 and 7 months after discharge. Of the 51 patients, 37 completed 4 months and 23 completed 7 months. All patients improved substantially during hospitalization, and this improvement continued until 1 month after discharge, but then diminished. No significant difference was noted in the rate of deterioration between those patients on Efamol Marine and those on placebo.