A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment aimed to compare the time of skin healing and side effects in omnivores and vegans treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for actinic keratosis (AK). While PDT is an approved and effective treatment for AK, with complete skin healing estimated to range between 5 and 10 days, the role of nutrition in influencing outcomes has never been evaluated.
In total, 30 omnivore and 30 vegan patients were enrolled; all patients were treated with PDT for AK. The researchers recorded side effects, according to local skin response (LSR) score, and compared the outcomes after 3, 7, and 30 days and the time of complete skin healing.
According to the results, at days 3, 7, and 30 posttreatment, the vegan group showed a higher total LSR score (P=.008, P<.001, and P< .001, respectively). By day 3, higher edema and vesiculation was recorded (P<.001 and P=.002, respectively) with erythema, desquamation, edema, and vesiculation at day 7 (P<.001, P< .001, P< .001, and P< .001, respectively) and erythema and desquamation after 30 days (P<.001 and P< .001, respectively). Notably, the difference of complete skin healing was statistically significant (P<.001).
The study’s results suggested that diet may have a prognostic and predictive role on PDT outcomes in regard to side effects and time of skin repair. —Jessica Garlewicz
Reference
Fusano M, Zane C, Calzavara-Pinton P, Bencini PL. Photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis in vegan and omnivore patients: the role of diet on skin healing. J Dermatolog Treat. 2021;32(1):78-83. doi:10.1080/09546634.2019.1618433
