Ege University, School of Nursing, İzmir, Turkey.
J Clin Nurs. 2012 Mar;21(5-6):698-707. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03823.x. Epub 2011 Nov 1.
The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine usage in asthmatic patients living in the west of Turkey, the most frequently used complementary and alternative medicine methods and socio-demographic factors affecting this and factors related to the disease.
While the rate of complementary and alternative medicine usage in asthmatic patients and the reasons for using it vary, practices specific to different countries and regions are of interest. Differing cultural and social factors even in geographically similar regions can affect the type of complementary and alternative medicine used.
Two hundred asthmatic patients registered in the asthma outpatient clinic of a large hospital in Turkey and who had undergone pulmonary function tests within the previous six months were included in this study, which was planned according to a descriptive design. The patients filled out a questionnaire on their demographic characteristics and complementary and alternative medicine usage.
The proportion of patients who reported using one or more of the complementary and alternative medicine methods was 63·0%. Of these patients, 61·9% were using plants and herbal treatments, 53·2% were doing exercises and 36·5% said that they prayed. The objectives of their use of complementary and alternative medicine were to reduce asthma-related complaints (58%) and to feel better (37·8%). The proportion of people experiencing adverse effects was 3·3% (n = 4). Factors motivating asthmatic patients to use complementary and alternative medicine were the existence of comorbid diseases and a long period since diagnosis (p < 0·05). No statistically significant difference was found between the use of complementary and alternative medicine and the severity of the disease, pulmonary function test parameters, the number of asthma attacks or hospitalisations because of asthma within the last year (p > 0·05).
Understanding by nurses of the causes and patterns of the use of complementary and alternative medicine in asthmatic patients helps them in directing patient care and patient safety. Nurses should conduct comprehensive diagnostics in the light of complementary and alternative medicine use, and they should be aware of the potential risks.
本研究旨在调查居住在土耳其西部的哮喘患者中补充和替代医学的使用频率、最常使用的补充和替代医学方法以及影响这种方法使用的社会人口学因素，以及与疾病相关的因素。
尽管哮喘患者使用补充和替代医学的比率和原因各不相同，但不同国家和地区的具体实践仍具有研究意义。即使在地理上相似的地区，不同的文化和社会因素也会影响补充和替代医学的类型。
本研究采用描述性设计，纳入了 200 名在土耳其一家大医院哮喘门诊就诊、且在过去 6 个月内接受过肺功能检查的哮喘患者。患者填写了一份关于其人口统计学特征和补充与替代医学使用情况的问卷。
报告使用一种或多种补充与替代医学方法的患者比例为 63.0%。在这些患者中，61.9%使用植物和草药治疗，53.2%进行运动，36.5%表示他们祈祷。他们使用补充与替代医学的目的是减轻哮喘相关症状（58%）和感觉更好（37.8%）。出现不良反应的比例为 3.3%（n=4）。促使哮喘患者使用补充与替代医学的因素是合并疾病的存在和诊断后时间较长（p<0.05）。在过去 1 年内哮喘发作或因哮喘住院的次数、疾病严重程度、肺功能检查参数与补充与替代医学的使用之间未发现统计学显著差异（p>0.05）。
护士了解哮喘患者使用补充和替代医学的原因和模式有助于指导患者护理和患者安全。护士应根据补充和替代医学的使用情况进行全面诊断，并意识到潜在的风险。
