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MIAMI — The use of complementary and alternative medicine is increasing among patients with self-reported skin disease, and patients are also discussing this use more with their physicians, supplementary data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey indicate.
Data from the survey of nearly 23,400 adults showed that of 2,374 respondents with a skin disorder, 85% reported complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in the past year. When vitamin and mineral supplements were excluded, 58% reported CAM use in the past year, up from 49% in a nearly identical survey in 2002, Dr. Nana Smith reported at the meeting.
In the 2007 survey, 52% of respondents said they discuss their CAM use with their physician, compared with just 16% in 2002, said Dr. Smith, a dermatology resident at the University of Rochester (N.Y.).
Patients with skin diseases in the recent survey were significantly more likely to use CAM than were those without skin diseases (odds ratio 2.5), Dr. Smith said.
However, only about 1% of those with skin diseases said they used CAM specifically for their dermatologic condition. Most said they use CAM for general wellness, Dr. Smith noted.
Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest related to this study.
MIAMI — The use of complementary and alternative medicine is increasing among patients with self-reported skin disease, and patients are also discussing this use more with their physicians, supplementary data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey indicate.
Data from the survey of nearly 23,400 adults showed that of 2,374 respondents with a skin disorder, 85% reported complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in the past year. When vitamin and mineral supplements were excluded, 58% reported CAM use in the past year, up from 49% in a nearly identical survey in 2002, Dr. Nana Smith reported at the meeting.
In the 2007 survey, 52% of respondents said they discuss their CAM use with their physician, compared with just 16% in 2002, said Dr. Smith, a dermatology resident at the University of Rochester (N.Y.).
Patients with skin diseases in the recent survey were significantly more likely to use CAM than were those without skin diseases (odds ratio 2.5), Dr. Smith said.
However, only about 1% of those with skin diseases said they used CAM specifically for their dermatologic condition. Most said they use CAM for general wellness, Dr. Smith noted.
Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest related to this study.
MIAMI — The use of complementary and alternative medicine is increasing among patients with self-reported skin disease, and patients are also discussing this use more with their physicians, supplementary data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey indicate.
Data from the survey of nearly 23,400 adults showed that of 2,374 respondents with a skin disorder, 85% reported complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in the past year. When vitamin and mineral supplements were excluded, 58% reported CAM use in the past year, up from 49% in a nearly identical survey in 2002, Dr. Nana Smith reported at the meeting.
In the 2007 survey, 52% of respondents said they discuss their CAM use with their physician, compared with just 16% in 2002, said Dr. Smith, a dermatology resident at the University of Rochester (N.Y.).
Patients with skin diseases in the recent survey were significantly more likely to use CAM than were those without skin diseases (odds ratio 2.5), Dr. Smith said.
However, only about 1% of those with skin diseases said they used CAM specifically for their dermatologic condition. Most said they use CAM for general wellness, Dr. Smith noted.
Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest related to this study.