The view of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in eastern Turkey

Za Sahin,M Sahin

doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i4.19

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine usage in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients living in the eastern part of Turkey. In this study a descriptive design was used. The study was conducted with 216 patients who were present at the clinic. Data were gathered by the researchers in a comfortable setting through questionnaire method using the data collection form developed by the researcher. Individualised questionnaire-based interviews were also conducted among the 216 adult patients. The questionnaire included demographic information, clinical information, use of conventional therapies, and complementary and alternative therapy. According to the findings obtained in this research, the frequency of CAM use among Turkish COPD patients (72.1%) was close to the highest levels reported in the literature.

Highlights

Throughout the world, patients with chronic diseases tend to be high utilisers of health care resources and/or the health care system
The aims of the present study were to identify the following: 1. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage frequency in Choronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients living in the eastern part of Turkey; 2. the most frequently used CAM method and demographic and disease-associated factors that affect CAM use
The percentage of patients who used their medication regularly was 96.7%, and 90.8% of the cases used at least one CAM method. 62.0% of patients included in the study have used CAM treatment for 14 years and over; 76.9% have known that their doctor or nurse has used CAM treatment; 41.7% have not interfered with their doctor or nurse about usage of CAM treatment; and 45.4% have used CAM treatment since they became aware that it is useful

Summary

Introduction

Throughout the world, patients with chronic diseases tend to be high utilisers of health care resources and/or the health care system. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been used for decades in the management of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke (Mao et al 2011; Broom et al 2010; Ogbera et al 2010; Khalaf & Whitford 2010; Decker et al 2007; Yeh et al 2006; Zick et al 2005; Shah et al 2008). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of a number of common disorders for which there is a varied literature in support of CAM therapies. COPD has characteristics such as the signs of coughing and wheezing. It has two distinct conditions in terms of disease onset: frequency of symptoms and reversibility of airway obstruction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine (www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad343.pdf.)

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