RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 I45 Alternative medicine methods utilisation in huntington’s disease
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP A74
OP A74
DO 10.1136/jnnp-2016-314597.210
VO 87
IS Suppl 1
A1 Daniel Zielonka
A1 Elżbieta A Puch
YR 2016
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/87/Suppl_1/A74.3.abstract
AB Background Alternative therapy is a common therapeutic approach in general population (GP). It was never analysed in details in HD subjects. Aim The aim of the study was to characterise alternative medicine methods application in individuals affected by Huntington’s disease (HD). Material and methods We used HD cohort from REGISTRY Study Site of Poznań, Poland to screen for individuals who utilised alternative medicine methods. Based on demographic data from Polish population we were able to compare alternative medicine methods utilisation (AMMU) in age and gender matched HD cohort and GP. Analysis was stratified by such alternative methods as homeopathy, herbal, acupuncture and other. Moreover HD cohort representatives utilising alternative medicine method were characterised in detail.Results In 57 representatives of Poznań Study Site’s HD cohort we found 3 patients utilising alternative medicine methods. Comparing our HD group with Polish GP we found significantly higher prevalence of AMMU (HD 5.2% vs. GP 1.8%). In our HD patients AMMU was represented by: herbal medicine, homeopathy and bioenergotherapy. All HD subjects were married men at the education level ISCED–3, motor manifest, who started AMMU in a year of clinical diagnosis. Motor, cognitive, functional and behavioural impairment in all three subject was on very similar level when AMMU was declared at study visit.Conclusion Based on the results of the study, AMMU widespread in HD affected individuals seems to be higher than in general population. Probably it results from lack of cure for HD. Expected trigger of AMMU is the moment of HD clinical diagnosis, when still cognitively competent patients become consent of fatal HD outcome and lack of conventional medicine response for their health needs.