[Use of conventional and unconventional therapies among patients with ankylosing spondylitis].

OBJECTIVE

A large share of rheumatism patients who are treated by rheumatologists use unconventional therapies additionally. What is the frequency in patients with ankylosing spondylitis who present for treatment at a radon spa?

PATIENTS

75 patients with ankylosing spondylitis presenting for treatment at the Gasteiner Heilstollen Hospital agreed to participate in the study (6 refused).

DESIGN

In an open interview a research assistant asked the patients to name all interventions which they have used for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

RESULTS

Unconventional therapies (beside treatment at the Gasteiner Heilstollen) were used by 39 patients. Most frequently cited were acupuncture (15x), diet (8x), herbal therapy (7x), and homeopathy (6x). In total 40 different forms of unconventional therapies were mentioned. All patients claimed to have used at least two conventional therapies.

CONCLUSION

Patients presenting for treatment at a radon spa claim to have used conventional therapies more frequently than unconventional forms of treatment.