Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Some studies have shown that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common in patients with chronic painful conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of CAM usage in patients with AS and to evaluate the impact of treatment adherence and beliefs about medicines on CAM usage.

This study has a descriptive design. A total of 140 patients with AS were included. The treatment adherence of the patients was evaluated using the Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ-T) was used to assess patients' beliefs about medicines.

Previous or current CAM usage was stated by 40% of the patients. It has been found that CAM usage was significantly high (p<0.05) in patients who were married, older, and diagnosed at older ages. The difference between patients' beliefs about medicines and CAM usage was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The BMQ-T scores were significantly different in terms of the patients' treatment adherence (p<0.05).

This study showed that approximately half of the patients with AS were using 1 CAM method. Furthermore, medication adherence and patients' beliefs about medicines did not have any impact on CAM usage, but the patients' beliefs about medicines affected treatment adherence.