A Study on Utilization of Alternative Medicine for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Chin, Hyun Woo; Jang, Ho Sun; Jang, Bong Seok; Jo, Ju Hyun; Kim, Moon Bum; Oh, Chang Keun; Kwon, Kyung Sool; Kwon, Yoo Wook

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Alternative medicine - sometimes called complementary or supplementary medicine - may be defined as forms of therapy or examination that have no scientific basis and whose effect or diagnostic reliability has not been demonstrated by scientific methods. Recently, alternative medicine has been used in various chronic diseases including atopic dermatitis (AD) and has attracted attention in the mass media. Several studies on the use of alternative medicine in patients with AD have been performed in western countries, however only a few studies have been conducted in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of alternative medicine in AD patients. METHOD: A total of 100 patients with AD were enrolled on the study, and interviewed with a questionnaire about their past history of AD and the use of alternative medicine. RESULTS: The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. 84 out of 100 patients (84.0%) reported previous or current use of more than one type of alternative medicine. 2. The most common type of alternative medicine used was herbal remedies (73.8%). Spa and bath therapies (47.6%), health food preparations (39.3%) and diet therapy (25.0%) were also commonly used. 3. The frequency of alternative medicine used was related to onset and severity of AD. 4. The most common reason for using alternative medicine was `I wish to try everything' (60.2%), and the most common source of information on alternative medicine was relatives and friends who did not have the disease (41.4%). 5. The therapeutic effect of alternative medicine was found to be excellent in 25.3% of patients, but no change was seen in 58.6% of patients. 6. The most common side effect of alternative medicine was aggravation of symptoms. Other side effects included urticaria, diarrhea, fever and chills. 7. The average monthly cost for alternative medicine was 210, 000 won/person. CONCLUSION: The use of various types of alternative medicine in patients with AD is very common. However, these tend to be used impulsively and without caution or adequate knowledge. Therefore, dermatologists need to be aware of the benefits and adverse effects of alternative medicines.