Available online 20 August 2015
Open Access
Original article
- Open Access funded by Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University
- Under a Creative Commons license
Abstract
Use
of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM; 補充與替代醫學 bǔ chōng yǔ tì
dài yī xué) in Parkinson disease (PD) ranged 40–70%. The objective of
this study was to determine the frequency, types and factors associated
with the use of CAM in Indian PD patients. PD patients, fulfilling
UKPD-Society brain-bank diagnostic-criteria, attending
Movement-disorders clinic of a tertiary-care teaching hospital in India
from 1st May to 15th December 2012 were enrolled. Information on
socio-demographic, clinical data and treatment along with factors
(source of information, benefits, harms, reason for use and cost)
associated with CAM use were recorded. Out of 233 consecutive PD
patients, 106 (46%) used CAM. Mean ± SD age of CAM users was 56 ± 11.2
years. Among CAM users, 72% were males, with mean age-onset 49 ± 11.16
years (P = 0.042) and 73% receiving levodopa therapy (p = 0.006). Longer
duration PD, higher education (graduates and above), urban residence,
and fairly good perceived health were other factors seen among CAM
users. Reasons for using CAM were ‘feel good factor’ (73%), 9% took CAM
due to side effects from allopathic-medicines. Commonly used CAM were
Ayurvedic, homeopathic medicines, and acupuncture (針灸 zhēn jiǔ) [74/106
(70%)]. Median CAM cost in Indian Rupees (INR) was 1000/month (USD16,
range: 0-400USD/month in year 2012). Almost half of PD patients use CAM.
Three-quarters of Indian CAM using PD patients believe that CAM is
harmless, using it at a substantial cost. CAM-users are educated, young,
urban dwellers, longer duration PD and receiving levodopa. Commonly
used CAM was Ayurvedic, Homeopathic medicines and acupuncture.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Parkinson's disease;
- Complementary and alternative medicine;
- CAM;
- Ayurveda;
- Acupuncture
1. Introduction
Complementary
and Alternative Medicine (CAM; 補充與替代醫學 bǔ chōng yǔ tì dài yī xué) are a
group of management practices that are not part of conventional western
medicine.1 In US, 40% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients use some form of CAM during the course of their illness,2 while in Korea, it is as high as 76%.3
Though using it for long periods and with other medications, most
patients are not aware of possible adverse effects and potential drug
interactions with their use.4
Traditionally, CAM has been used by PD patients in China, India and
Amazon-region in the form of herbal preparations containing
anticholinergics, levodopa and MAO-B inhibitors.5
Different forms of CAM include ingestion or, application of
preparations on surface of body, activities of different severity such
as yoga, meditation, dance, music and exercise. Current study was
undertaken on Indian PD patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital to
determine frequency, types and factors associated, along with benefits,
harms and cost of CAM in PD patients.