Arthritis Patients' Lives Improved By Complementary And Alternative Therapy

Date: Oct-31-2012Nearly a quarter of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis used
complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) to help manage their condition,
according to a study in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical
Nursing.

Researchers interviewed 250 patients aged between 20 and 90 years of age.
More than two-thirds (67%) had rheumatoid arthritis and the remainder had
osteoarthritis.

They found that 23% used CAT in addition to prescribed drugs and that just
under two-thirds of those (64%) felt that the therapy was beneficial, reporting
improvements in pain intensity, sleeping patterns and activity levels.
"Our study underlines the importance of healthcare professionals being
knowledgeable about the potential use of CAT when providing medical care to
patients with arthritis" says lead author Professor Nada Alaaeddine, Head of
the Regenerative and Inflammation Lab in the Faculty of Medicine, University
of St Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon.

"Although CAT might have beneficial effects in rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis, patients should be cautious about their use and should tell their
healthcare providers that they are using them to make sure they don't conflict
with their existing treatment."

Key findings of the survey included:
CAT users had an average age of 45 years, significantly younger than the
average non CAT user, who was aged 57 years.
CAT use was higher in patients with osteoarthritis (29%) than rheumatoid
arthritis (20%).
The most common CAT used was herbal therapy (83%), followed by
exercise (22%), massage (12%), acupuncture (3%), yoga and meditation
(3%) and dietary supplements (3%).
Just under a quarter of the patients using CAT (24%) sought medical care
because of possible side effects, but they were not serious and were
reversible. The most common side effects included skin problems (16%)
and gastrointestinal problems (9%).
The majority did not tell their healthcare provider about their CAT use
(59%).
CAT users were asked to rate the amount of pain they felt and the
percentage who said that they experienced no pain rose from 12% to 43%
after CAT use. The number who slept all night rose from 9% to 66%.
CAT users also reported an improvement in daily activities. The
percentage who said that their pain did not limit them at all rose from 3%
to 12% and the percentage who said they could do everything, but with
pain, rose from 26% to 52%.
"CAT use is increasing and this study shows that it provided self-reported
benefits for patient with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis" says Professor
Alaaeddine.

"It is, however, important that patients discuss CAT use with their healthcare
practitioner and that they are made aware of possible side effects, in
particular the possible interactions between herbal and prescribed drugs."

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.