Factors related to the parallel use of complementary and alternative medicine with conventional medicine among patients with chronic conditions in South Korea

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aims to examine the characteristics and behavioral patterns of patients with chronic conditions behind their parallel use of the conventional medicine (CM) and the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that includes traditional Korean Medicine (KM).MethodsThis cross-sectional study used the self-administered anonymous survey method to obtain the results from inpatients who were staying in three hospitals in Gyeongnam province in Korea.ResultsOf the 423 participants surveyed, 334 participants (79.0%) used some form of CAM among which KM therapies were the most common modalities. The results of a logistic regression analysis showed that the parallel use pattern was most apparent in the groups aged over 40. Patients with hypertension or joint diseases were seen to have higher propensity to show the parallel use patterns, whereas patients with diabetes were not. In addition, many sociodemographic and health-related characteristics are related to the patterns of the parallel use of CAM and CM.ConclusionIn the rural area of Korea, most inpatients who used CM for the management of chronic conditions used CAM in parallel. KM was the most common in CAM modalities, and the aspect of parallel use varied according to the disease conditions.

Complementary and alternative medicines usage in elderly patients in tertiary care teaching hospital of North India

“…In contrast, more percentage of patients had discontinued in another study and reason given was distrust of treatment effect. 16 Based on findings of our study and those of others, it is evident that use of complementary and alternative medicine is widespread in elderly population. So, proper clinical history regarding CAM use is important while treating elderly patients to reduce drug interactions.…”

“…14 The questionnaire was structured and modeled based on similar surveys conducted earlier. [15][16][17]…”

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“…Despite the lack of evidence-based information on CAM, its use is prevalent in Korea. 18,19 One cross-sectional study reported that more than 70% of Korean adults used CAM in the last 12 months. 18 In this context, YouTube users are more likely to view misleading videos that include information related to CAM.…”

“…The present study showed that a high proportion of the misleading videos included information on CAM. Despite the lack of evidence-based information on CAM, its use is prevalent in Korea [ 18 , 19 ]. One cross-sectional study reported that more than 70% of Korean adults used CAM in the last 12 months [ 18 ].…”

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“… 39 A study conducted among 423 NCD patients in Korea showed that the simultaneous use of TM and conventional medicine was common. 44 However, the percentage of patients who are willing to disclose their use of TM to their conventional medicine clinicians is generally low. 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 The main reason for not telling their conventional medicine clinicians about TM use is that the clinicians do not actively ask about TM use, followed by a perception that it is unimportant for the clinicians to know about TM use, and finally fear of the clinicians’ disapproval on their use of TM.…”