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

• Published in: Veterinary dermatology 2015-12, Vol.26 (6), p.432-e101
• Main Authors: Noli, Chiara, della Valle, M. Federica, Miolo, Alda, Medori, Cristina, Schievano, Carlo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Dermatitis, Atopic - drug therapy; Dermatitis, Atopic - veterinary; Dog Diseases - drug therapy; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dogs; Ethanolamines - administration & dosage; Ethanolamines - chemistry; Ethanolamines - therapeutic use; Female; Male; Palmitic Acids - administration & dosage; Palmitic Acids - chemistry; Palmitic Acids - therapeutic use; Quality of Life
• ISSN: 0959-4493; 1365-3164
• DOI: 10.1111/vde.12250

Background Palmitoylethanolamide is a naturally occurring bioactive lipid, produced on‐demand by damage‐exposed cells. Palmitoylethanolamide is documented to counteract inflammation, itch and pain. Objective The aim of this 8‐week study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral ultra‐micronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA‐um) in dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis. Animals Clinicians from 39 veterinary clinics enrolled 160 dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis and moderate pruritus. Methods This 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). Results Mean 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