Association of complementary and integrative therapy use and symptoms among Turkish patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study explored the correlations between the use of complementary and integrative therapies (CITs) and symptoms among Turkish patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). MethodsThis is a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study was conducted with 1119 FMF patients who were registered to the social networking site for Behcet’s and the FMF Patients Association (Befemder) in Turkey, between January 2018 and February 2019. Data were collected using an online survey, for which a three‐part questionnaire was created using a Google form. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. ResultsIt was determined that 53.2% of the individuals who participated in the research used various forms of CITs and that 32.8% used vitamin and mineral supplements (calcium, iron, and vitamin B12, C and D), 25.0% used nutritional supplements (fish oil and honey), and 24.6% used oral herbs (ginger, turmeric, green tea and rosemary) and mind–body methods (relaxation, respiration exercise and meditation). It was determined that the percentage of participants that used CITs was higher among women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.825; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.421–2.344), those with joint pain (OR = 1.385; 95% CI 1.047–1.832), those with difficulty breathing (OR = 1.323; 95% CI 1.031–1.697), those with gastrointestinal symptoms (OR = 1.405; 95% CI 1.089–1.814) and those who had a family member with FMF (OR = 1.437; 95% CI 1.115–1.851). ConclusionMore than half of the individuals used at least one type of CIT for symptom control.