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

Vol. 217, No. 3, 2008

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Pharmacology and Treatment

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
Giuseppe Stinco^a, Fabio Piccirillo^a, Francesca Valent^b

^aDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Pathology and Medicine, Institute of Dermatology, and
^bInstitute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2008;217:191-195 (DOI: 10.1159/000141648)

Key Words

Atopic dermatitis
AEGIS AEM 5772/5
Sericin-free silk

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.

Author Contacts

Giuseppe Stinco
Institute of Dermatology, University of Udine
Ospedale 'San Michele' di Gemona, Piazza Rodolone 1
IT-33013 Gemona del Friuli, Udine (Italy)
Tel. +39 0432 989 378, Fax +39 0432 989 209, E-Mail giuseppe.stinco@uniud.it

Article Information

Received: November 19, 2007
Accepted: January 18, 2008
Published online: June 27, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 16

Medline Abstract (ID 18583910)

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