Efficacy of ultra‐micronized palmitoylethanolamide in canine atopic dermatitis: an open‐label multi‐centre study

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

E-ISSN: 1365-3164|26|6|432-e101

ISSN: 0959-4493

Source: VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY, Vol.26, Iss.6, 2015-12, pp. : 432-e101

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Abstract

BackgroundPalmitoylethanolamide is a naturally occurring bioactive lipid, produced on‐demand by damage‐exposed cells. Palmitoylethanolamide is documented to counteract inflammation, itch and pain.ObjectiveThe aim of this 8‐week study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral ultra‐micronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA‐um) in dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis.AnimalsClinicians from 39 veterinary clinics enrolled 160 dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis and moderate pruritus.MethodsThis was a multi‐centre open‐label study. On days 0 (D0) and 56 (D56), owners evaluated pruritus with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and completed a validated Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire. Veterinarians assessed the severity of skin lesions using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI).ResultsMean pruritus VAS score decreased from 5.7 ± 0.08 cm (range 3.8–7.9 cm) to 3.63 ± 0.19 cm (range 0.1–9.2 cm) (P < 0.0001). At D56, 58% of dogs showed a greater than 2 cm reduction from baseline and 30% showed an absent‐to‐very mild pruritus (VAS ≤ 2 cm). Mean total CADLI at D56 decreased significantly (P < 0.0001); in 62% of dogs this score reached a value in the remission range (≤5). Mean total QoL score was significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) with 45% of dogs reaching QoL values described for healthy animals. Tolerability was good‐to‐excellent with only four dogs reporting treatment associated reversible adverse events.Conclusions and clinical importancePEA‐um appears to be effective and safe in reducing pruritus and skin lesions, and in improving QoL in dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis and moderate pruritus.