Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Asthma is a fairly common chronic disease in the world, with a major impact on patients' quality of life. Alongside standard treatment, there is growing interest in complementary medicine, which refers to a wide range of healthcare practices that fall outside the scope of conventional medicine. We conducted a prospective study of 127 asthmatic patients followed up in allergology consultations at the respiratory diseases department of the Hospital 20 Août 1953, Casablanca, over a 2-month period. Data were collected via a survey regarding socio-demographic characteristics, asthma history and perception and use of complementary medicine. The results showed that 52% of asthma patients had already used complementary medicine, mainly herbs and natural products. The main reasons for this use were the desire to explore all available treatment possibilities and the perceived ineffectiveness of conventional treatments. Most users reported positive effects, underlining the need for clinical trials to establish evidence-based recommendations. The study also highlighted a lack of communication between patients and doctors regarding the use of complementary medicine. Improved education of patients and the integration of complementary medicine into medical training are needed to promote open communication.
Institutions: Hôpital 20 Août, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ibn Rochd
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4409702773