Efficacy and safety profile of antioxidants in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adult #antioxidants #child #dermatitis-atopic #humans

Efficacy and safety profile of antioxidants in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Yang et al., 2022 | Dermatol Ther | Meta Analysis

Citation

Yang Huan, Chen Jing-Si, ... Wang Hua. Efficacy and safety profile of antioxidants in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Dermatol Ther. 2022-Jul;35(7):e15549. doi:10.1111/dth.15549

Abstract

The use of antioxidants in atopic dermatitis (AD) is controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antioxidants therapy in AD. Randomized clinical trials were identified from Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library. Changes from baseline in severity and itch score were extracted from individual studies and pooled using random-effects. Eighteen trials including 763 AD patients were eligible. Overall, antioxidants were associated with statistically significant reductions in diseases severity (p < 0.0001), but not with itch score (p = 0.59). No serious adverse events were recorded. Subgroup analyses revealed that antioxidants were associated with a significant reduction in severity score regardless of disease severity at baseline and treatment duration (p < 0.05). However, antioxidants had additional benefit only in children (p = 0.02) but not in adults (p = 0.30). Oral supplementation with vitamin D, combined vitamins D and E, combined vitamins A, D and E and topical vitamin B12 was associated with significantly lower severity score (p < 0.05). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I2  = 50%; p = 0.003). The effect estimates did not change statistically after excluding sources of study heterogeneity. This meta-analysis suggests that antioxidants may be a safe and effective treatment for AD patients, especially when supplemented with oral vitamin D and topical vitamin B12 , as well as in pediatric patients.

Key Findings

This meta-analysis suggests that antioxidants may be a safe and effective treatment for AD patients, especially when supplemented with oral vitamin D and topical vitamin B12 , as well as in pediatric patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Antioxidants
  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Atopic
  • Humans
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09