Scar characteristics and treatment expectations: a survey of 589 patients.
BACKGROUND
Scar tissue formation by skin injury is common and patients need treatments for cosmetic or functional improvement.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between various characteristics of scars and patients' treatment expectations.


METHODS
The subjects were patients who had one or more scars regardless of their intention for treatment between August 2007 and February 2008. The survey was conducted using paper forms on patients' first visits.


RESULTS
A total of 589 patients (mean age 29 years) with various types of scars participated in this survey. Of the causes described by the patients, trauma was the most common (681 answers), followed by cutaneous diseases (189), and surgery (133). The treatment history of scars was recorded in 233 patients (39.6%), namely topical agents in 146 (62.7%), laser therapies in 79 (33.9%), and skin grafts or surgical scar revisions in eight (3.4%). Patients with a treatment history showed a more prominent expectation for the next treatment outcome (p < 0.05) and were willing to spend more time on scar treatment (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although it could not play a major role in choosing treatment modalities, treatment expectations can be significant as a part of a healthy doctor-patient relationship, of which the ultimate goal is always the best outcome for the patient.
Cho
Sung Bin
SB
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ryu
Dong Jin
DJ
Lee
Sang Ju
SJ
Kang
Jin Moon
JM
Kim
Young Koo
YK
Chung
Won Soon
WS
Oh
Sang Ho
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012086:Reoperation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult