Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pruritus is one of the most common complaints among patients who visit physicians. Over-the-counter topical antipruritic medications are widely recommended by physicians and are self-administered by patients for the treatment of pruritus. However, there are few scientific controlled studies evaluating the effect of these drugs on pruritus. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of physician-recommended over-the-counter medications for the treatment of pruritus. METHODS: Records were analyzed for office-based physician visits in which over-the-counter antipruritic topical medications were recommended in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between the years 1995 and 2000. RESULTS: The largest proportion of over-the-counter antipruritic agent recommendations were during visits to dermatologists, accounting for 41% of all such recommendations. Other physicians that recommended such agents included family physicians and pediatricians, accounting respectively for 26% and 21% of the recommendations. The most commonly recommended over-the-counter medications included hydrocortisone preparations (72%) and diphenhydramine (15%). Over-the-counter medications were more frequently recommended in the pediatric age group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that over-the-counter medications are frequently recommended for the treatment of pruritus.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 185-188 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of Dermatological Treatment |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
- Over-the-counter
- Pruritus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
Cite this
Over-the-counter topical antipruritic agents are commonly recommended by office-based physicians : An analysis of US practice patterns. / Duque, M. I.; Vogel, C. A.; Fleischer, A. B.; Yosipovitch, Gil.
In: Journal of Dermatological Treatment, Vol. 15, No. 3, 01.06.2004, p. 185-188.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Over-the-counter topical antipruritic agents are commonly recommended by office-based physicians
T2 - An analysis of US practice patterns
AU - Duque, M. I.
AU - Vogel, C. A.
AU - Fleischer, A. B.
AU - Yosipovitch, Gil
PY - 2004/6/1
Y1 - 2004/6/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: Pruritus is one of the most common complaints among patients who visit physicians. Over-the-counter topical antipruritic medications are widely recommended by physicians and are self-administered by patients for the treatment of pruritus. However, there are few scientific controlled studies evaluating the effect of these drugs on pruritus. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of physician-recommended over-the-counter medications for the treatment of pruritus. METHODS: Records were analyzed for office-based physician visits in which over-the-counter antipruritic topical medications were recommended in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between the years 1995 and 2000. RESULTS: The largest proportion of over-the-counter antipruritic agent recommendations were during visits to dermatologists, accounting for 41% of all such recommendations. Other physicians that recommended such agents included family physicians and pediatricians, accounting respectively for 26% and 21% of the recommendations. The most commonly recommended over-the-counter medications included hydrocortisone preparations (72%) and diphenhydramine (15%). Over-the-counter medications were more frequently recommended in the pediatric age group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that over-the-counter medications are frequently recommended for the treatment of pruritus.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pruritus is one of the most common complaints among patients who visit physicians. Over-the-counter topical antipruritic medications are widely recommended by physicians and are self-administered by patients for the treatment of pruritus. However, there are few scientific controlled studies evaluating the effect of these drugs on pruritus. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of physician-recommended over-the-counter medications for the treatment of pruritus. METHODS: Records were analyzed for office-based physician visits in which over-the-counter antipruritic topical medications were recommended in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between the years 1995 and 2000. RESULTS: The largest proportion of over-the-counter antipruritic agent recommendations were during visits to dermatologists, accounting for 41% of all such recommendations. Other physicians that recommended such agents included family physicians and pediatricians, accounting respectively for 26% and 21% of the recommendations. The most commonly recommended over-the-counter medications included hydrocortisone preparations (72%) and diphenhydramine (15%). Over-the-counter medications were more frequently recommended in the pediatric age group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that over-the-counter medications are frequently recommended for the treatment of pruritus.
KW - National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
KW - Over-the-counter
KW - Pruritus
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=3342897531&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=3342897531&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09546630410027337
DO - 10.1080/09546630410027337
M3 - Article
C2 - 15204153
AN - SCOPUS:3342897531
VL - 15
SP - 185
EP - 188
JO - Journal of Dermatological Treatment
JF - Journal of Dermatological Treatment
SN - 0954-6634
IS - 3
ER -