Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that may lead to limitations in regular activities, to hospitalizations and a decrease in quality of life. Adherence to drug treatment is crucial for control of the disease. The use of medicinal herbs can reduce adherence to prescriptions, as the medication may be replaced by infusions or herbal products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of use of traditional herbal medicine among severe asthmatics in Salvador. Information on use of homemade remedies was obtained through application of a questionnaire during patient visits to a referral center. We also collected data on economic and social aspects as well as disease control. One hundred and forty-four (91,1%) out of one hundred and fifty-eight patients evaluated used herbal medicines, but only 26.5% attributed improvement of asthma symptoms to this alternative treatment and only 8 had substituted a prescribed medication by herbal medicines. There was a trend towards lower adherence to prescription drug treatment in this group of patients. Despite the high frequency of use of medicinal herbs in our sample, there was no improvement in the asthma treatment in this population compared to non-users. Adherence to conventional drug treatment was satisfactory and there was neither reduction in asthma control nor increase in hospitalizations among the users of medicinal plants.
Highlights
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory syndrome charac-T.P
The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of medicinal plants among alternative treatments used by participants on an asthma program and assess its relationship with economic and social factors as well as disease control. This was a cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence of use of medicinal plants in patients with severe asthma
The medicinal plants were cited by patients using their vernacular names and their corresponding scientific names were later matched through a literature survey of native and cultivated medicinal plants in the state of Bahia and other regions of northeast Brazil.(Corrêa, Penna, 1984; Cruz, G.L, 2005; AGRA et al, 2008; Moreira et al, 2002; Pinto, Amoroso, Furlan, 2006)
Summary
An evaluation of factors affecting the treatment of asthma conducted in India revealed that 79% of patients used alternative therapies such as home remedies, teas, homeopathy and yoga reporting that they perceived symptom relief (Singh, Sinhá, Gupta, 2002). The fact that asthma is a chronic disease and requires longer treatment may be a predictor for those affected to seek alternative therapies, such as the use of medicinal plants (Slader et al, 2006). The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of medicinal plants among alternative treatments used by participants on an asthma program and assess its relationship with economic and social factors as well as disease control
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