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Objective: To evaluate the frequency of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) use, the variety of applications, the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with neuropathic pain, and their knowledge and attitudes about TCM practices.
Material and Methods: A total of 250 patients with neuropathic pain were included in this, cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into two groups: medication only (group 1, n=119) and medication with TCM practices (group 2, n=131). Questionnaires were completed by the patients in face-to-face interviews by a blinded physician.
Results: The mean age of the patients in group 2 (50.68±16.39) was found to be higher than in group 1 (p=0.043). In terms of chronic diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and other diseases were found to be more common in group 2 than in group 1 (p<0.05). The number of patients with duration of neuropathic pain more than 5 years, the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale and the Neuropathic Pain 4 (DN4) scale scores were found to be higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p<0.05). At least one TCM is known by %78.6 of group 2 and 61.3% of group 1 (p=0.003). The three most commonly used TCM practice in group 2 were wet cupping/cupping therapy (24%), leeches (22.8%), and acupuncture (11.6%).
Conclusion: It was determined that the mean age of patients who used medication with TCM practices together for the treatment of neuropathic pain was higher, neuropathic pain severity was higher, and neuropathic pain duration was longer than patients who used medication only for the treatment of neuropathic pain.