title: Complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with psoriasis.
abstract: Despite the growing attention on safety and efficacy of conventional treatments, there is little information available on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used in psoriasis. In order to collect comprehensive information on CAM use, we conducted a face-to-face interview with 122 patients with psoriasis. All unconventional treatments for psoriasis used in the last 12 months were recorded. Fifty-seven patients (46.7%) used one of the CAM methods in the previous year, including topical and systemic antipsoriatics, dietary supplements, and diet. Forty-one different nonconventional topical treatments were used. Seven patients (5.7%) took nonconventional systemic medication, and 15.5% used dietary supplements. There were three patients who reported current adherence to a diet as treatment of psoriasis. Clinicians are often not informed that their patients are using complementary therapies. CAM may offer benefits as well as risks to patients with psoriasis. It is important to remind patient to report all ongoing and past topical and systemic treatments. The use of medications with unknown composition, efficiency, and safety should be discouraged.
authors: University Clinic of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Katerina
authors: K
authors: Damevska
authors: Lence
authors: L
authors: Neloska
authors: Suzana
authors: S
authors: Nikolovska
authors: Gorgi
authors: G
authors: Gocev
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Duma
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents
keywords: complementary and alternative medicine; psoriasis