Frequency and treatment of trichotillomania in Poland.

Full Abstract

Although trichotillomania is a relatively common disorder no large epidemiological studies are available. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of trichotillomania as identified by Polish dermatologists, and to evaluate the treatment modalities used. A questionnaire was sent to 172 dermatologists; 118 (68.6%) responded. The questions covered demographic data, frequency of trichotillomania and treatments used. During the course of their working lives 68% of respondents had observed at least one patient with trichotillomania and 11% were currently treating such a patient. More than 30% of respondents had observed one or two cases of trichotillomania during the past 5 years, 11% had seen 3-5 cases, 3% had seen 6-10 cases, and 5% had seen more than 10 patients. Of the respondents, 40.7% always and 28.8% often asked for a psychiatric opinion. Dermatologists with more experience more frequently (p < 0.05) obtained a psychiatric opinion. Some dermatologists (15.3%) used their own pharmacological treatment (anxiety-relieving drugs and sedatives). Trichotillomania is a relatively common disorder; however, not all dermatologists are sufficiently prepared to treat it.

Author information

Author/s: Szepietowski, Jacek C (JC); Salomon, Joanna (J); Pacan, Przemyslaw (P); Hrehorów, Ewa (E); Zalewska, Anna (A);

Affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroc av Medical University, Ul. T. Chalubinskiego 1, Poland. jszepiet(-atsign-)derm.am.wroc.pl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Acta dermato-venereologica (Acta Derm Venereol), published in Sweden. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-; vol 89 (issue 3) : pp 267-70

Dates: Created 2009/05/29; Completed 2009/09/01;

PMID: 19479123, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/1/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.