• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.50-58
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to find out the characteristics of outpatients and diseases in dermatology of Korean medicine and compare to previous studies.Methods : We reviewed the medical records of total 3,041 outpatients in dermatology of Korean medicine at Kyung Hee Korean medicine hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. We found out demographic characteristics of outpatients and observed the diseases in order of frequency by age and sex. Then, we compared these results to previous studies performed at same hospital in 2000 and 2007.Results and Conclusions : 1. Among the total 3,041 outpatients in 2011-2015, male patients were 1,184(38.87%) and female patients were 1,857(61.07%). 2. There were 203(6.68%) patients in 0-10 years old, 455(14.96%) patients in 11-20, 918(30.19%) patients in 21-30, 582(19.14%) patients in 31-40, 359(11.81%) patients in 41-50, 265(8.71%) patients in 51-60, and 259(8.52%) patients in more than 61 years old. 3. The common diseases in 2011-2015 were seborrheic dermatitis(17.33%), eczema(13.32%), urticaria(12.89%), atopic dermatitis(12.36%), pruritus(9.90%), acne(8.85%), and alopecia(6.08%). 4. The most common diseases by age groups were atopic dermatitis(0-10, 11-20 years old), seborrheic dermatitis(21-30, 31-40, 41-50 years old), urticaria(51-60 years old), and pruritus(more than 61 years old). 5. The common diseases in male patients were seborrheic dermatitis(20.69%), atopic dermatitis(15.46%), and urticaria(12.25%) and female patients were seborrheic dermatitis(15.19%), eczema(15.13%), and urticaria(13.30%). 6. The most increasing disease in the distribution between 2004-2006 and 2011-2015 is rosacea(+462.93%), and the most decreasing disease is vitiligo(-72.05%).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.122-137
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• 2010

Objective : Atopic dermatitis (AD) in children may profoundly affect the quality of life (QOL), and also cause financial burden, to the families of those suffering from this ailment. The aim of our study was to examine the quality of life and the financial burden of atopic dermatitis in children and their families to evaluate this relationship with the degree of AD. Methods : 37 infant and child atopic dermatitis patients were included and evaluated using the SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Patients and carers were asked to fill in the questionnaires about their quality of life and financial costs during the past year. Data about sleep disturbance and pruritus were also obtained. Pearson's correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results : 1. The mean score of Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was $10.52{\pm}4.82$, Infants' Dermatologic Quality of Life (IDQOL) was $8.21{\pm}3.95$. 2. The mean score of Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was $13.30{\pm}5.72$, Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) was $12.5{\pm}4.98$. 3. By analyzing the questionnaire, the monthly average cost was determined to be 730,800 won for each patient : the direct cost was 283,500 won, and the indirect cost was 447,300 won. 4. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and QOL, subjective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with QOL(IDQOL, FDLQI, DFI, CDLQI). 5. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and any economic impact, EASI were significantly and positively correlated with the direct cost. Conclusion : The above results show that the QOL of the patients and carers is significantly related to their disease severity. Atopic dermatitis patients pay an average of 730,800 won a month, and the economic impact on the patients is significantly related to their disease severity. The CDLQI, IDQOL, FDLQI and DFImay potentially be of value to help in the appropriate management of AD and can be used as an added measurement in clinical trials involving AD management.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.151-163
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in cases and to find the general tendency of herbal medicine treatment and to establish the primary treatment direction of Atopic dermatitis. Methods : In the domestic databases, Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System(OASIS), Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal(KTKP), National Discovery for Science Leader(NDSL), Research Information Sharing Service(RISS), we selected among the papers published in the last 20 years using search terms related to "Atopic dermatitis & Cases". Reports based on Sasang constitutional medicine and Six meridian pattern identification were excluded and a total of 21 papers were finally selected. Results : 113 herbal medicines were retrieved from 21 papers. The most commonly used herbs are Scutellariae Radix(黃芩), Rehmanniae Radix(地黃), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(甘草). Atractylodis Rhizoma(蒼朮), Akebiae Caulis(木通), Smilacis Rhizoma(土茯?), Paeoniae Radix(芍藥) used mostly when Oozing exists, Trichosanthis Radix (瓜蔞), Asparagi Radix(天門冬), Persicae Semen(桃仁), Carthami Flos(紅花) used mostly when Dryness, Lichenification, and Pigmentation exist. The average score of SCORAD index was improved after Herbal medicine treatment. Conclusion : Through this study, we could find out the tendency of herbal medicine to treat Atopic dermatitis along with Symptoms.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.40-46
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• 2010

Objective: This study investigated the therapeutic possibility of natural therapy in atopy-camp for children with atopic dermatitis. Methods: 30 children (19 boys and 11 girls, median age 11.5 years, ranging from 9 to 15) participated in natural environment-based activities in a camp-village located in Geumsan-gun for five days. Assessment of symptom change was conducted by self-reporting numeric scale (NRS) for pruritus and sleeping difficulty, investigator global assessment (IGA), eczema area and severity index (EASI score), serum histamine and IgE concentration before and after the camp period. Statistical significance was analyzed by paired t-test. Results: NRS for pruritus ($4.7{\pm}2.0$ into $4.3{\pm}2.1$), sleeping difficulty ($3.1{\pm}2.1$ into $2.9{\pm}2.0$), and serum histamine concentration ($4.27{\pm}7.39$ mol / L into $3.21{\pm}6.08$ mol / L) showed positive changes but didn't reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). IGA ($3.8{\pm}0.9$ into $4.13{\pm}1.0$), while EASI score ($10.8{\pm}9.7$ into $9.1{\pm}9.2$) and IgE ($408{\pm}320$ IU / mL into $385{\pm}3.8$ IU / mL) were significantly improved (p < 0.01). Conclusions: In spite of the limitation of the clinical trial protocol, this study may provide the possibility of natural environment-based therapy for children with atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2011

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic eczema and mechanical injury to the skin, caused by scratching. Korean red ginseng (RG) has diverse biological activities, but the molecular effects of RG on allergic diseases, like AD, are unclear. The present study was designed to investigate whether RG inhibits 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD in a mouse model. DNCB was applied topically on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice to induce AD-like skin lesions. We observed the scratching behavior and examined the serum IgE level and interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 in splenocytes compared with dexamethasone. We also evaluated the DNCB-induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), NF-${\kappa}B$, and Ikaros activities after RG treatment using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and ELISA. Our data showed that the topical application of RG significantly improved the AD-like skin lesions and scratching behavior. RG decreased not only the mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10, but also the secretion of IL-4 protein and serum IgE in mice. Additionally, RG treatment decreased the DNCB-induced MAPKs activity and subsequent Ikaros translocation irrespective of NF-${\kappa}B$. We suggest that RG may be useful as a therapeutic nutrition for the treatment of AD.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.248-252
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• 2011

Soy protein based formula (SPF) has been developed for infants who are at a high risk for atopic dermatitis (AD) and cow's milk protein allergy (CMA). We performed this study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of SPF compared to conventional hydrolyzed cow's milk formula (hCMF) in the feeding of infants with AD and CMA. 38 infants (12 to 24 months of age) diagnosed with CMA and AD were randomized to receive either SPF or hCMF for 12 weeks. Follow-up was conducted at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Growth parameters of the infants were evaluated during each visit. Clinical evaluations, including AD severity scores, pruritus, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) (cow's milk protein and soy protein) levels of peripheral blood, were made at enrollment and week 12. Analysis was performed on the 32 infants (SPF: n=16, hCMF: n=16) who completed the 12-week intervention. Eczema area and severity index (EASI) scores, a measure of the severity of AD, and pruritus were significantly reduced after 12 weeks compared to enrollment in the both groups; however, the median changes for EASI scores and pruritus were not statistically different between the two groups. The growth parameters did not differ significantly between both groups at any assessed time point. This study suggests that SPF could be useful in decreasing the severity of AD without affecting infant growth status. Therefore SPF could provide an adequate and safe alternative to hCMF in treating infants with AD and CMA during the first 12 to 24 months of their life.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.303-312
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• 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory pruritic skin disease worldwide, characterized by the infiltration of multiple pathogenic T lymphocytes and histological symptoms such as epidermal and dermal thickening. This study aims to investigate the effect of vinpocetine (Vinp; a phosphodiesterase 1 inhibitor) on a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like model. DNCB (1%) was administered on day 1 in the AD model. Subsequently, from day 14 onward, mice in each group (Vinp-treated groups: 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg and dexamethasone-treated group: 2 mg/kg) were administered 100 µl of a specific drug daily, whereas 0.2% DNCB was administered every other day for 30 min over 14 days. The Vinp-treated groups showed improved Eczema Area and Severity Index scores and trans-epidermal water loss, indicating the efficacy of Vinp in improving AD and enhancing skin barrier function. Histological analysis further confirmed the reduction in hyperplasia of the epidermis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells, with Vinp treatment. Moreover, Vinp reduced serum concentrations of IgE, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-13, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were reduced by Vinp treatment. Reduction of TGF-β protein by Vinp in skin tissue was also observed. Collectively, our results underscore the effectiveness of Vinp in mitigating DNCB-induced AD by modulating the expression of various biomarkers. Consequently, Vinp is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.31-41
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to establish the basis of the assessment tools that can be used for the diagnosis and assessment of skin diseases by reviewing the present status of the assessment tools used in domestic and overseas traditional medicine papers for the past five years. Methods : This study is based on analysis of papers on clinical trials about atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, urticaria published from 1st July 2013 to 30th June 2018. The papers were searched from Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System(OASIS), Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal(KTKP), Pubmed, MEDLINE. Results : 40 articles on atopic dermatitis, 34 articles on psoriasis, 26 articles on acne and 10 articles on urticaria were selected. Among them, 38 articles(90%), 20 articles(85%), 22 articles(85%) and 5 articles(50%) used assessment tools in order. Conclusions : SCoring Atopic Dermatitis(SCORAD), objective SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis index(OSI), Eczema Area and Severity Index(EASI) were used in studies on atopic dermatitis. In the case of psoriasis, The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI) was used in most papers. In the study on acne, most of Korean papers used Korean Acne Grading System(KAGS), but in the overseas papers, various assessment tools were used. In the case of urticaria, the rate of use of the assessment tool was the lowest, but the assessment tool used was unified by Urticaria Activity Score(UAS). Since skin diseases can cause stress and a decrease in quality of life, the quality of life should be taken into account when evaluating treatment effects.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.374-380
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• 2012

Objectives: Stress is considered a causal factor in many diseases, allergic disease being one of them. The prevalence of allergic disease is increasing in Korea, but the relationship between allergic symptoms and stress is not empirically well known. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between allergy-related symptoms and stress in children and adolescents. Methods: We investigated 698 children and adolescents living in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and the Psychosocial Well-being Index, these subjects were surveyed on allergy-related symptoms and psychosocial stressors in their lives, respectively. We used a multivariate logistic analysis for odds ratios for the complaint rate of allergic symptoms, after adjusting for age, gender, household income, body mass index, and residence. Results: After adjustments, lifetime rhinitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.024), rhinoconjunctivitis (OR, 1.090), diagnosis of itchy eczema (OR, 1.040), treatment of itchy eczema (OR, 1.049), 12-month allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.026), diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.031), and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.034) were found to be significantly associated with stress. Conclusions: Our results support the notion that there is a relationship between stress and allergic symptoms in children and adolescents. Further research into any causal relationship between stress and allergies, as well as preventative public health plans for decreasing stress in children and adolescents are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.66-77
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to expand our treatment field in oriental dermatology by understanding the patterns of outpatients who had visited the oriental hospitals located in Gangwon province. Methods : We studied 510 outpatients out of 2240 people from Sangji University Oriental Hospital(SUOH) and 333 outpatients out of 2030 people from Chuncheon Oriental Hospital(COH) from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009. We categorized the results by gender, age, disease types, residences, months and number of visiting times. Results : The results were as follows 1. Comparing the number of outpatients that had visited the hospital by gender in SUOH shows that female's visiting rate is 57% and male is 43%. In COH shows that female's visiting rate is 54% and male is 46%. 2. Most frequent visiting age group were 21-30 year-old group(30%) in SUOH and 11-20 year-old group(23%) in COH. 3. In regard to the monthly visiting period, January(13%) is the highest in SUOH and July(10%) is the highest in COH. 4. Regional distributions of the outpatients that had visited SUOH and COH show Wonju(73%) and Chuncheon(74%). 5. In terms of treatment methods, SUOH showed the external application(65%), herb medication(54%), and acupuncture(52%) while COH showed acupuncture(74%), the external application(69%), and herb medication(66%). 6. Visiting frequency of outpatients in SUOH showed that 1 time visiting cases were 51%. In COH case, 1 time visiting cases were 19%. 7. The most prevalent diseases were urticaria(15%), eczema(14%) acne(12%), and seborrheic dermatitis(11%) in SUOH and atopic dermatitis(27%), urticaria(20%), acne(16%), and psoriasis(10%) in COH. 8. Most outpatients had visited SUOH for 1 time(51%) and COH for over 11 times(32%) with the major 16 diseases. Conclusions : This study suggests that outpatients who had visited the department of oriental dermatology preferred to get a treatment for urticaria, eczema, atopic dermatitis and acne. Considering this aspect, it needs to improve current research to expand the oriental medical treatments further in dermatological field.