Ann Dermatol.  2001 Mar;13(1):1-6. 10.5021/ad.2001.13.1.1.

Use of Alternative Medicine by Patients with Psoriasis

• Nam SH
• Lee HG
• Kim KH
• Kim KJ
• Lee CJ

• KMID: 2163851
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2001.13.1.1

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a disabling and intractable disease influencing the psychosocial life of the patients. Patients who are frustrated with orthodox medicine may explore alternative therapies.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to research on the actual condition of the use of alternative medicine in the patients with psoriasis.
METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire was constructed, and was given to the patients to answer our questions.
RESULTS
Among 128 patients with psoriasis, 61 (47.7%) reported previous use of one or more forms of alternative medicine. The absence of satisfactory long-term effects of physician-provided therapy was the main reason for patients trying alternative medicine. Persons without skin s disease and the mass media were the main sources of information on alternative medicine.
CONCLUSION
Alternative therapies were widely utilized by subjects participating in this study, and dermatologists need to be aware of alternative treatments employed by their patients.

Keyword

Alternative medicine; Psoriasis

MeSH Terms

Complementary Therapies*
Humans
Mass Media
Psoriasis*
Skin