A new study looking at platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as an adjuvant therapy for adult atopic dermatitis (AD) suggested the treatment was associated with favorable outcomes.
The literature search focused on original English-language articles about PRP as a therapeutic method for adult AD. Reviews, systematic literature, and meta-analyses were excluded. The authors searched PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Cochrane covering research published up to October 2023. Seven articles in total were reviewed, in which PRP was used in both injectable and topical forms for AD treatment.
PRP could significantly reduce free radical accumulation and proinflammatory mediators, create a healing environment, and restore disrupted metabolic activity, according to the analysis results. PRP therapy showed clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms, patient satisfaction, quality of life, and reduced recurrence rates. Side effects included mild, primarily pain and ecchymosis at injection sites. Additionally, PRP was found to be safe for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. The authors also included study limitations, which included the heterogeneity of PRP preparation methods, emphasizing the need for further research using larger-scale standardized protocols.
"PRP significantly yields favorable outcomes when used in AD treatment and can serve as an alternative for moderate to severe or refractory AD," the authors wrote in the conclusion. "PRP can reduce the relapse interval of refractory AD and can enhance patient satisfaction overall through its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Its use in AD treatment has been reported to be safe, even during pregnancy. PRP is recommended for use due to the risk for slight adverse events and the minimal risk of transmissible diseases, as it originates from the patient’s own blood."
Source: Zaki S, et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024;17(7):43–49.