Abstract

GONZALEZ, Claudio D et al. Asma bronquial y Medicinas complementarias-alternativas. Rev. am. med. respir. [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.3, pp.252-258. ISSN 1852-236X.

The frequency and patterns of Complementary-Alternative Medicines (CAM) use among asthmatic patients are unknown in our country. The objective of this work was to evaluate the CAM use in asthmatic patients and to compare their characteristics with those of asthmatic patients who are not CAM users. Materials and methods: Between 30 June 2005 and 30 June 2012, 635 patients with a diagnosis of asthma older than 15 years were evaluated through face-to-face interviews carried out by their own physicians in three clinics of Buenos Aires and General Rodriguez cities. The interviews were anonymous and free, and included the registry of variables such as demographic characteristics, evolution time from onset, airway obstruction by spirometry, levels of severity and control measures. Patients were asked if they had used any CAM at least once by a minimum period of a month, time of the intervention, simultaneous or not use of allopathic medicine (AM), type of CAM chosen and self-reported results. Results: All patients agreed to co-operate, and 246/635 (38.7%) referred having used CAM for a median period of 12 months (range 0-359); while using the alternative treatment, 39% of them had abandoned the AM and 15% were still using any kind of CAM. In comparison with non users, alternative users tended to be older and females, and to have longer time from the onset of symptoms, higher levels of severity and lower periods of controlled asthma. The main reported results were improvement and no change (46% each). The mainly CAM chosen were herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture and yoga. Significant differences were found according to demographic characteristics, simultaneous use of AM and self-reported results. Conclusions: Use of CAM among our asthmatic patients appears to be similar to that reported in other international experiences. However, new multicenter surveys are needed to reach a deeper insight into both regional and national patterns of use.

Keywords : Complementary; Alternative medicine; Asthma; Herbs; Homeopathy.

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