ABSTRACT
La frecuencia y patrones de uso de Medicinas Complementarias-Alternativas (MCA) entre pacientes con asma bronquial es desconocida en nuestro país. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el uso de MCA entre pacientes con asma y comparar sus características con quienes no usaban esos recursos. Materiales y métodos: Entre 30-6-2005 y 30-6-2012, 635 pacientes mayores de 16 años con diagnóstico de asma fueron evaluados mediante entrevistas cara a cara con su médico en tres centros de las ciudades de Buenos Aires y General Rodríguez. La encuesta tuvo el carácter de anónima y voluntaria e incluyó variables demográficas, el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad, la obstrucción al flujo aéreo medido por espirometria, parámetros de severidad y niveles control del asma. Se interrogó sobre el uso de al menos una vez por el lapso de un mes de alguna MCA, el tiempo de uso, la utilización simultánea o no de medicina alopática (MA), el tipo de MCA elegida y el resultado obtenido. Resultados: No se registraron rechazos a participar en el estudio; 246/635 (38.7%) de los pacientes usaron MCA con un valor de mediana de 12 meses (rango 0-359); entre ellos, un 39% habían abandonado la MA y un 15% todavía recurrían a alguna MCA. En el grupo con MCA había pacientes de mayor edad, mayor presencia de mujeres, tiempos de evolución más prolongados, niveles más altos de severidad y menor frecuencia de asma controlada, frente al grupo sin uso de MCA. Los resultados principales fueron mejoría o sin cambios (46% cada uno). Las MCA más frecuentemente elegidas fueron hierbas, homeopatía, acupuntura y yoga, encontrándose diferencias significativas según características demográficas, el uso simultáneo de MA y el reporte de resultados. Conclusiones: El uso de MCA entre nuestros pacientes con asma se asemeja a otras experiencias internacionales. Sin embargo, se requieren nuevas encuestas multicéntricas para alcanzar un estudio más profundo sobre los patrones regionales y nacionales de uso de MCA.
The frequency and patterns of Complementary-Alternative Medicines (CAM) use among asthmatic patients are unknown in our country. The objective of this work was to evaluate the CAM use in asthmatic patients and to compare their characteristics with those of asthmatic patients who are not CAM users. Materials and methods: Between 30 June 2005 and 30 June 2012, 635 patients with a diagnosis of asthma older than 15 years were evaluated through face-to-face interviews carried out by their own physicians in three clinics of Buenos Aires and General Rodriguez cities. The interviews were anonymous and free, and included the registry of variables such as demographic characteristics, evolution time from onset, airway obstruction by spirometry, levels of severity and control measures. Patients were asked if they had used any CAM at least once by a minimum period of a month, time of the intervention, simultaneous or not use of allopathic medicine (AM), type of CAM chosen and self-reported results. Results: All patients agreed to co-operate, and 246/635 (38.7%) referred having used CAM for a median period of 12 months (range 0-359); while using the alternative treatment, 39% of them had abandoned the AM and 15% were still using any kind of CAM. In comparison with non users, alternative users tended to be older and females, and to have longer time from the onset of symptoms, higher levels of severity and lower periods of controlled asthma. The main reported results were improvement and no change (46% each). The mainly CAM chosen were herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture and yoga. Significant differences were found according to demographic characteristics, simultaneous use of AM and self-reported results. Conclusions: Use of CAM among our asthmatic patients appears to be similar to that reported in other international experiences. However, new multicenter surveys are needed to reach a deeper insight into both regional and national patterns of use.
Subject(s)
Asthma , Complementary Therapies , HomeopathyABSTRACT
The in vitro effect of Mycobacterium leprae suspensions on the PMN hability to phagocyting and killing Candida albicans and Candida pseudotropicalis was studied in forty-five patients of Hansen's disease and in fifteen healthy controls. Our results show no significative differences between the diferent studied groups, both for the phagocytosis and for the lysis of yeasts. There was no significant changes in the mean values of these functions after previous or simultaneously incubation with Mycobacterium leprae suspensions. Those observations confirmed that there are not alterations in the enzimatic battery of PMN in Hansen's disease patients and that the Mycobacterium leprae presence does not exert stimulating effect on this in vitro model