DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS: VIEWS OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SKIN DISEASES

Purpose: The study aims to examine the use of dietary supplements (DSs) in patients with chronic dermatological diseases, as well as, the patients' views of the safety and benefit of DSs. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology at the University Нospital "Prof. Dr Stoyan Kirkovich" - Stara Zagora from March 2019 to March 2020 was performed. A specially designed and validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics was performed to analyze the results. Results: Overall 250 patients were involved in the study. The intake of DSs was established in 174 (69.6%) of the participants. Commonly used DSs were vitamins/minerals (41.2%) and herbal supplements (8.2%). Most of the respondents (59.2%) were ignorant about adverse reactions to DSs and 44.4% perceived DSs as completely safe. The majority of DSs consumers (59%) declared satisfaction with the effect of DSs and were convinced (62.4%) of their benefits. Conclusions: DSs are widely used in patients with chronic skin diseases. Most of the patients are ignorant about the risk associated with DSs intake. Physicians' awareness of DSs use in hospitalized patients is important for the rational use of DSs and their safe combination with drugs.