Efficacy and functionality of silver-coated textiles in patients with atopic eczema.
Gauger A, Fischer S, Mempel M, Schaefer T, Foelster-Holst R, Abeck D, Ring J.
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Biederstein, Technical University, Munich, Germany.
Background Microbial skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is known to play an important role in atopic eczema (AE). Recently, an antibacterial effect of silver-coated textiles on S. aureus colonization has been demonstrated. Objectives To investigate clinical efficacy and functionality of silver-coated textiles in AE, a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients/methods From November 2001 to August 2002, 68 consecutive outpatients clinically diagnosed with generalized AE were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were the clinical diagnosis of AE with a moderate severity as measured by the scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index with at least 20. Patients were instructed to wear either silver-coated (verum, 35 patients + 2 dropouts) or cotton garments (placebo, 22 patients + 9 dropouts) directly on the skin for 2 weeks. Only basic skin care and ongoing therapy with topical steroids or oral antihistamines was permitted. Clinical severity was assessed using the 'SCORAD' before, during and at the end of study. Quality of life (QOL), wearing comfort (WC) and functionality (FU) of study clothes were measured in parallel. Patients documented their subjective and objective symptoms daily. Results In the verum group, eczema improved significantly after 1 week with further enhancement until the end of study (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001). Silver-coated textiles were comparable to cotton in WC and FU. Pruritus and self-assigned skin condition improved significantly more than with placebo (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003). Conclusions In conclusion, silver-coated textiles are able to improve objective and subjective symptoms of AE significantly within 2 weeks, showing a good wearing comfort and functionality comparable to cotton.
PMID: 16684280 [PubMed - in process]
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2006 May;20(5):534-41
UND
Efficacy and safety of silver textile in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD).
Juenger M, Ladwig A, Staecker S, Arnold A, Kramer A, Daeschlein G, Panzig E, Haase H, Heising S.
Department of Dermatology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.
juenger@uni-greifswald.deBACKGROUND: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have an increased tendency to develop bacterial skin infections. Colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is known to be a major trigger and might also play a pathophysiological role. Because of their antiseptic action, silver-coated textiles suppress S. aureus colonization and toxin formation, thus damping the inflammatory reaction. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of a special silver textile in the treatment of patients suffering from acute AD. METHODS: In a randomized phase II monocenter parallel-group comparative study 30 patients were recruited (average age 25.5 years, min. 4 years, max. 70 years) who were affected by AD in an acute phase. During the first study phase from Day 1 to Day 14, 10 patients received a silver textile (Group 1), 10 a silver-free textile (Group 2), and 10 prednicarbate ointment (Group 3). In the second phase from Day 15 to Day 28 all patients wore the silver textile, and during the follow-up period from Day 28 to Day 56 no textiles were used. Prednicarbate ointment was allowed as emergency medication, but ointment consumption was measured. The overall severity of the disease was evaluated using the SCORAD index as the primary efficacy parameter. Secondary parameters included severity of pruritus and the patients' assessment of their disease control (uncontrolled, limited, good or complete). Safety tests included hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis for silver, and physical examination for silver deposits in the skin and mucous membranes.RESULTS: The initial SCORAD was 61.6 (IQR 26.6, min. 30.6, max. 99.9). At the end of the Study Phase 1 the SCORAD had improved significantly in the patients of Groups 1 (74.6-29.9, p = 0.005) and 3 (57.8-24.0, p = 0.009). During Study Phase 2 healing of eczema continued in Group 1 (SCORAD 29.9-18.1, p = 0.037), was observed in Group 2 (48.2-24.1, p = 0.015), and remained at an improved level in Group 3 (SCORAD 24-23.5). Consumption of prednicarbate ointment (Phase 1, Phase 2, follow-up period, medians are given): Group 1: 135 g, 10 g, 45 g; Group 2: 13 g, 0 g, 0 g; Group 3: 145 g, 30 g, 90 g. Silver textiles reduced the severity of the pruritus (p = 0.031); silver-free textiles (n.s.) and prednicarbate (n.s.) were less effective. No undesired events were observed. CONCLUSION: The elastic silver textile worn directly against the skin led to an impressive improvement of AD and a reduction in the use of prednicarbate ointment.
PMID: 16684435 [PubMed - in process]
Curr Med Res Opin. 2006 Apr;22(4):739-50
