Ann Dermatol.  2016 Dec;28(6):725-732. 10.5021/ad.2016.28.6.725.

Awareness of Atopic Dermatitis and Attitudes toward Different Types of Medical Institutions for Its Treatment among Adult Patients and the Parents of Pediatric Patients: A Survey of 500 Participants

• Roh NK
• Han SH
• Kim MJ
• Park GH
• Lew BL
• Choi EH
• Ko HC
• Park YL
• Son SW
• Seo YJ
• Lee YW
• Cho SH
• Park CW

• KMID: 2368123
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2016.28.6.725

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Physicians can play a crucial role in the knowledge that patients have about a disease and its prognosis. Recently, patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are increasingly turning from western medicine to oriental herbal medicine. However, their awareness of AD and attitude toward Western medicine and oriental herbal medicine clinics are scarcely reported.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the understanding of AD among patients and their parents and to identify their awareness of and attitude toward Western medicine and oriental herbal medicine as treatments for AD.
METHODS
An online questionnaire was administered to 500 consenting respondents with AD (age, 16~49 years) and parents of children with AD (age, 0~15 years).
RESULTS
The mean percentage of correct answers to questions about AD was 52.54%. A parental history of AD was independently associated with higher respondent's knowledge about the disease and its treatment. The satisfaction with treatment outcomes was highest among patients treated at private clinic of dermatology specialists (49.4%), while lowest among those treated at oriental herbal medicine clinics (38.4%). Many participants were aware that oriental herbal medicine requires a longer treatment period for a cure and does not burden the skin, while steroid phobia was seen in most of participants.
CONCLUSION
Physicians need to educate AD patients and their parents about the disease and its treatment. Misconceptions for Western medicine and oriental herbal medicine among AD patients and parents should be corrected to improve their prognosis.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Awareness; Behavior; Knowledge; Surveys and questionnaires

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Child
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Dermatology
Herbal Medicine
Humans
Parents*
Phobic Disorders
Prognosis
Skin
Specialization
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Patient satisfaction with different medical institutions.

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  Fig. 2 Awareness of Western medicine and oriental herbal medicine for atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment.

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