Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore National Skin Centre, Singapore.
Australas J Dermatol. 2011 Feb;52(1):7-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2010.00709.x. Epub 2010 Oct 22.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been studied among general and specific disease populations, little is known on the use of CAM among Asian dermatology patients. This study assesses prevalence, demographics, disease determinants, expectations and reasons for CAM use among patients visiting a major referral dermatology centre in Singapore.
A descriptive cross-sectional study of 855 dermatology outpatients was done. Consecutive sampling using interviewer-administered questionnaires collected information on patient demographics, dermatological condition, prevalence, reasons and expectations of CAM use. Patient-perceived disease severity was measured via the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI). Dermatologists completed Patient Data Forms, detailing diagnosis, diagnosis date and CAM use.
The prevalence of CAM use was 25.7%. Patients who were higher educated, held white collar occupations, had longer disease duration, higher DLQI scores or were suffering from psoriasis or eczema were more likely to have used CAM. More than 60% of patients expected dermatologists to provide at least basic CAM advice and 75% were willing to declare their CAM use. Forty percent of dermatologists accurately knew their patients' current CAM use.
Prevalence of CAM use in dermatology patients was high. Many doctors were unaware of patients' CAM use despite most patients being willing to declare it. Patients generally expected dermatologists to provide CAM advice. Dermatologists should make a concerted effort to identify likely CAM users and consider openly discussing CAM use with them.
背景/目的：虽然已经研究了一般人群和特定疾病人群中补充和替代医学（CAM）的使用情况，但对于亚洲皮肤科患者中 CAM 的使用情况知之甚少。本研究评估了在新加坡一家主要转诊皮肤科中心就诊的患者中 CAM 的使用频率、人口统计学特征、疾病决定因素、预期和原因。
对 855 名皮肤科门诊患者进行了描述性横断面研究。采用访谈者管理的问卷进行连续抽样，收集患者人口统计学特征、皮肤科状况、CAM 使用频率、原因和预期的信息。患者感知的疾病严重程度通过皮肤病生活质量指数（DLQI）进行测量。皮肤科医生填写患者数据表格，详细记录诊断、诊断日期和 CAM 使用情况。
CAM 使用的流行率为 25.7%。受教育程度较高、从事白领职业、疾病持续时间较长、DLQI 评分较高或患有银屑病或湿疹的患者更有可能使用 CAM。超过 60%的患者期望皮肤科医生提供至少基本的 CAM 建议，75%的患者愿意公开自己的 CAM 使用情况。40%的皮肤科医生准确了解患者当前的 CAM 使用情况。
皮肤科患者中 CAM 使用的流行率很高。尽管大多数患者愿意公开，但许多医生并不知道患者的 CAM 使用情况。患者通常期望皮肤科医生提供 CAM 建议。皮肤科医生应共同努力识别可能的 CAM 用户，并考虑与他们公开讨论 CAM 使用情况。
