Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2000 Apr; 7(2): 85-8.

[Use of conventional and unconventional therapies among patients with ankylosing spondylitis]

Curda B, Luxl M, Glauninger P, Falkenbach A.

Krankenanstalt Gasteiner Heilstollen, Bad Gastein-BÃ¶ckstein, Osterreich.

OBJECTIVE: A large share of rheumatism patients who are treated by rheumatologists use unconventional therapies additionally. What is the frequency in patients with ankylosing spondylitis who present for treatment at a radon spa? PATIENTS: 75 patients with ankylosing spondylitis presenting for treatment at the Gasteiner Heilstollen Hospital agreed to participate in the study (6 refused). DESIGN: In an open interview a research assistant asked the patients to name all interventions which they have used for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. RESULTS: Unconventional therapies (beside treatment at the Gasteiner Heilstollen) were used by 39 patients. Most frequently cited were acupuncture (15x), diet (8x), herbal therapy (7x), and homeopathy (6x). In total 40 different forms of unconventional therapies were mentioned. All patients claimed to have used at least two conventional therapies. CONCLUSION: Patients presenting for treatment at a radon spa claim to have used conventional therapies more frequently than unconventional forms of treatment.