Çocukluk Çağı Böbrek ve İdrar Yolu Hastalıklarında Tamamlayıcı ve Alternatif Tıp Uygulamaları

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are treatments applied together with or instead of conventional treatments. In this study, the frequency of CAM use, preferred methods, factors associated with use of these methods were evaluated in 201 patients (48.3% F; median age 11 years; median disease duration 5.1 years) with nephrotic syndrome, recurrent urinary tract infection, nephrolithiasis and chronic kidney disease in Hacettepe University Children’s Hospital Pediatric Nephrology Department and compared with the control group consisted of 260 healthy children. Information was obtained through questionnaire and examination of patients’ records. Most commonly used CAM method in both patient and control group was use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS-biologically based therapies) (patient group 38.8%, control group 54.6%; p=0.001). In both patient and control group, fish oil use was frequent (patient group 14.4% and control group 35.0%; p<0.001). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the use of HDS when fish oil was excluded (patient group 28.9% and control group 28.1%; p=0.85). Renal disease was the most common reason for use of HDS (42.3%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the use of HDS without fish oil was more frequent in patients with a duration of disease more than seven years [OR 3,70 (1,48-9,20), p=0,005], who used six or more drugs [OR 5,6 (1,28-24,41), p=0,022], with recurrent urinary tract infection or nephrolithiasis [OR 3,92 (1,02-15,09), p=0,047]; and was less frequent in patients with moderate income than those with low income [OR 0,30 (0,11-0,81), p=0,017]. In patient group, main information sources for HDS without fish oil were the friends and relatives; followed by internet, television and health professionals. Pharmacies and herbalists were the places where HDS were most commonly provided. 78% of the patients used HDS despite knowing that these products could have side effects; 50% of the patients did not share the information of HDS use with their doctors. These findings showed that use of HDS is frequent in both groups; and it is important to educate patients and doctors about HDS.