Measurement of healthcare quality in atopic dermatitis - development and application of a set of quality indicators.

Background: Quality indicators are essential tools for the assessment of health care, in particular for guideline-based procedures.

Objective: Development of a set of indicators for the evaluation of process and outcomes quality in atopic dermatitis (AD) care. Application of the indicators to a cross-sectional study and creation of a global process quality index.

Willingness to pay and quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a frequent and burdensome disease. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the willingness to pay (WTP) and quality of life (Qol) in AD patients and (2) to compare the results with data on other chronic skin diseases. To collect data, a non-interventional, cross-sectional nationwide postal survey on adult patients with clinically diagnosed AD was performed; socio-demographic data, clinical features/symptoms, WTP and QoL were recorded.

Topical treatment of tinea pedis using 6% coriander oil in unguentum leniens: a randomized, controlled, comparative pilot study.

Background: The antifungal activity of coriander oil has already been demonstrated in vitro.

Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of 6% coriander oil in unguentum leniens in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis.

Methods: Half-side comparative pilot study on subjects with symmetric, bilateral interdigital tinea pedis.

Drug supply for psoriasis - results from a national pharmacy network.

Background: In Germany, drugs are to a large extent provided by pharmacies. Thus, investigations in pharmacies permit drug usage studies both on patients receiving prescribable drugs and using self-medication. The current study evaluated the quality of medical care, disease burden and spectrum of treatments for patients with psoriasis in a nationwide network of pharmacies.

Allergies in Germany -- prevalence and perception by the public.

Background: During the recent decades allergies have become more frequent all over the world. However, it is unclear how important the topic of allergies is for the general German population and how appropriately patients with allergies are treated.

Patients And Methods: A telephone survey was performed on a representative random sample of n = 1,004 adults in Germany.