TY - JOUR

T1 - Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Outpatients with Atopic Dermatitis from a Dermatological University Department

AU - Holm, Jesper Gronlund

AU - Clausen, Maja-Lisa

AU - Agner, Tove

AU - Thomsen, Simon Francis

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Background: Treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) may be challenging, therefore some patients seek complementary and alternative medications (CAM). We determined prevalence and predictors for CAM use in a hospital cohort of AD patients. Material and Methods: Between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017, AD patients referred to the dermatological outpatient clinic at Bispebjerg Hospital were included in the study. Information on CAM use, demographics and disease characteristics were obtained by questionnaire, and associations were determined by X-2 and t test separately for children (<16 years) and adults (>= 16 years). Results: In total 441 filled in the questionnaire on AD, and 433 patients responded to the questions about CAM use: 198 children and 235 adults. A total of 137 (31.6%) had used one or more CAM. CAM use in children was significantly associated with prior use of >= 2 conventional treatments (p = 0.047) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (p = 0.021), a higher number of affected eczema sites (p < 0.001) including more frequent affection of the face and extremities, a higher SCORAD score (p = 0.045), and low mean overall self-rated health (p = 0.003). CAM use in adults was significantly associated with lower age of onset of AD (p = 0.004), comorbid allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (p = 0.039), frequent use of moisturizing cream (p = 0.024), facial and neck eczema (p = 0.005) and high educational level (p = 0.043). Conclusion: CAM use is frequent in both children and adult AD patients. CAM users are characterized by long disease duration, a significant disease burden and by having a longer education. The high prevalence of CAM may indicate that patients' expectations regarding treatment of AD are not redeemed in the conventional health care system. (C) 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel

AB - Background: Treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) may be challenging, therefore some patients seek complementary and alternative medications (CAM). We determined prevalence and predictors for CAM use in a hospital cohort of AD patients. Material and Methods: Between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017, AD patients referred to the dermatological outpatient clinic at Bispebjerg Hospital were included in the study. Information on CAM use, demographics and disease characteristics were obtained by questionnaire, and associations were determined by X-2 and t test separately for children (<16 years) and adults (>= 16 years). Results: In total 441 filled in the questionnaire on AD, and 433 patients responded to the questions about CAM use: 198 children and 235 adults. A total of 137 (31.6%) had used one or more CAM. CAM use in children was significantly associated with prior use of >= 2 conventional treatments (p = 0.047) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (p = 0.021), a higher number of affected eczema sites (p < 0.001) including more frequent affection of the face and extremities, a higher SCORAD score (p = 0.045), and low mean overall self-rated health (p = 0.003). CAM use in adults was significantly associated with lower age of onset of AD (p = 0.004), comorbid allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (p = 0.039), frequent use of moisturizing cream (p = 0.024), facial and neck eczema (p = 0.005) and high educational level (p = 0.043). Conclusion: CAM use is frequent in both children and adult AD patients. CAM users are characterized by long disease duration, a significant disease burden and by having a longer education. The high prevalence of CAM may indicate that patients' expectations regarding treatment of AD are not redeemed in the conventional health care system. (C) 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel

KW - Atopic dermatitis

KW - Complementary therapy

KW - Alternative therapy

KW - Treatment

U2 - 10.1159/000496274

DO - 10.1159/000496274

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30759429

VL - 235

SP - 189

EP - 195

JO - Dermatology

JF - Dermatology

SN - 1018-8665

IS - 3

ER -