초록
Objective : The aim of this study is to assess the impact of chronic atopic dermatitis (AD) on quality of life (QoL) as well as the economic burden associated with oriental medical treatment on adult patients with chronic AD in Korea. Methods : The EQ-5D health states, existence and duration of AD in the 2007 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to obtain the study subjects. A questionnaire including the questions on direct medical and direct non-medical costs associated with oriental medical treatment for adult patients with AD was specifically designed. Twenty-nine, members of the Korean Oriental Medical Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Dermatology Society (KOMOODS), completed the questionnaires. Results : The incidence of AD was around 3.09% in 2007 NHANES (sample survey, n=2981). Three months and above in duration of disease was 1.35%. The QoL data revealed as follows: 0.932 in non-chronic AD, 0.916 in chronic AD, and 0.908 in non-AD. We also stratified our analysis by age. The QoL data in 40's was statistically significant (P<0.023). But, no significant differences were reported in 20's, 30's, and 50's. The total direct medical costs of oriental medical treatment for AD was about 2,560,717 Won, and total direct non-medical costs was about 605,125 Won in a year. Conclusions : This study might be applied to find the evidence of economic evaluation in oriental medicine for AD. More rigorous studies are warranted.