• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.199-214
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• 2010

Objective : Atopic dermatitis (AD) may profoundly affect patient's quality of life (QOL), and also cause economic impact. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of life and the economic impact of adult atopic dermatitis patient in Seoul. We also evaluate the relationship of QOL and economic impact with severity of AD. Methods : 30 adult atopic dermatitis patient were included and evaluated by using the SCORAD Index and EASI. Patients were asked to fill in the questionnaires about their quality of life and financial costs during the past year by AD. Data about sleep disturbance and pruritus were also obtained. Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results : 1. Among 30 patients, women were 19(63.3%), men were 11(36.7%). The mean age of the patients were 27.3 years old, patients between the ages of 17 and 30 years were 23, over 30 were seven. 2. The mean score of Objective SCORAD was $32.89{\pm}7.30$, Subjective SCORAD was $8.13{\pm}3.53$ and EASI was $9.15{\pm}6.90$이었다. 3. The mean score of Skindex-29 was $28.26{\pm}7.58$, DLQI was $10.17{\pm}5.55$. 4. By analyzing the questionnaire, a monthly average cost of 583,200 won for each patient was determined. Direct cost was 236,800 won and indirect cost was 346,300 won. 5. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and QOL, Objective SCORAD and EASI were positively correlated with QOL(Skindex-29, DLQI) but not significant, meanwhile subjective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with QOL(Skindex-29, DLQI). 6. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and economic impact, Objective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with direct cost and indirect cost. Also, EASI were significantly and positively correlated with direct cost and oriental medical hospital visits. Conclusions : The above results show that the QOL of the patients with atopic dermatitis is significantly related to their disease severity. Atopic dermatitis patients pay 583,200 won a month, and the economic impact of the patients is significantly related to their disease severity.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.97-107
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• 2015

Objectives Hataedock is the treatment that dispels toxic heat and meconium gathered at the fetus for the new born baby by orally administered herbal extracts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Hataedock alleviate inflammatory skin damages in AD-induced NC/Nga mice through regulating of skin barrier maintain and Th2 differentiation. Methods We established an AD model in the 3-week-old NC/Nga mice through the repeated application of DNFB (dinitrochlorobenzene) on days 28, 35, 42 after Hataedock treatment which was orally administered. We identified the changes of skin barrier and Th2 differentiation through the histological and immunohistochemical changes of protein kinase C (PKC), interleukin (IL)-4, degranulated mast cell, Substance P and MMP-9. Results Our results suggested that Hataedock treatment significantly down-regulated levels of PKC by 82% (p < 0.001), as well as IL-4 by 56% (p < 0.001). Hataedock also suppressed mast cell infiltration, ear edema formation. and Substance P in the tissue of NC/Nga mice were decreased by 57% (p < 0.001), and MMP-9 by 55% (p < 0.001). Conclusions These results suggest that Hataedock alleviates AD through the down-regulation of PKC and Th2 cytokines, which are involved in the initial steps of AD development. Hataedock have potential application for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-29
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• 2014

Objectives Dictamni Radicis Cortex extracts (DRC) has been known to suppress allergic reaction, however the cellular target of DRC and its mode of action remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Dictamni Radicis Cortex extracts on DNCB induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions of NC/Nga mouse. Methods This study was designed to investigate the effects of DRC extract in the DNP-IgE-induced activation of MC/9 murine mast cell lines in vitro and in the DNCB-induced activation of NC/Nga mouse in vivo. For this investigation, We examined IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ and GM-CSF mRNA expression by Real-time PCR, IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production by ELISA analysis and manifestations of NFAT1, NFAT2, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors by western blotting in vitro. Then, we examined WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil in NC/Nga mouse, IL-5, IL-13 in serum, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4 in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, the absolute cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $^+Gr-1^+CD11b$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, PBMCs and dorsal skin, IL-5, IL-13 in the dorsal skin by Real-time PCR and the distribution of mast cells by H&E and toluidine blue. Results In vitro the mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$, GM-CSF and IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production by ELISA analysis were completely abolished by DRC and the western blot analysis decreased the expression of mast cell-specific transcription factors including NFAT-1, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65. In vivo DRC oral adminstration also decreased the counts of WBC, eosinophils and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-13 and IgE in the serum. DRC oral adminstration elevated IL-4 level in the spleenocyte culture supernatant. DRC oral adminstration decreased total ALN cells, total skin cells, cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, $^+Gr-1^+CD11b$ in the PBMCs and $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ in the dorsal skin. The mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, thickness of epidermis, inflammation immune cells and mast cells were abolished by DRC in the dorsal skin. Conclusions Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of AD-induced NC/Nga mouse were much improved by DRC oral adminstration. These results, therefore, suggest that DRC can regulate molecular mediators and immune cells that are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mouse, and may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms.