Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children and Adults With Atopic Dermatitis

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children and Adults With Atopic Dermatitis: a Single-center Prospective Observational Study

Complementary and alternative medicine are increasingly used all around the world and more specifically in chronic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Sociodemographic and disease determinants associated with their use remain unclear. Moreover, most of studies involved children and little data are available for adults.

The main objective of this study is to identify factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use in children and adults suffering from atopic dermatitis. The secondary objectives are to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use, the main forms used and their modalities of use, patients' motivations for using these therapies and sources of information.

Patients of all ages consulting for their atopic dermatitis at the dermatology or pediatric allergology department of Nancy University Hospital over a 6 months period will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about their pathology and their use of complementary and alternative medicine. This questionnaire will be collected before they leave the hospital.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients, adults or children, without age limit;
• Patients visiting the dermatology or pediatric allergology department of Nancy University Hospital;
• Patients with atopic dermatitis confirmed on clinical examination by the physician;
• Patients with a history of atopic dermatitis or newly diagnosed patients;
• Patient affiliated to a social security plan or beneficiary of such a plan;
• Patients who understand French and are able to complete a self-administered questionnaire or have the option of assistance in completing it.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient with at least one other dermatological pathology or non-atopic eczema (contact eczema, ...);
• Patient without a confirmed diagnosis of atopic dermatitis by a physician;
• Patient who has already completed the questionnaire during a previous consultation;
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• Refusal of the patient or at least one of the parents for children;
• Patient placed under court protection, guardianship or curatorship;
• Patient deprived of liberty by a judicial or administrative decision.