Use of complementary medicine in patients with chronic pain

Abstract 

Introduction

Medical care of patients with chronic pain has not yet been thoroughly analysed in the German health care system. In particular, there are only sparse data on the use of complementary treatments in chronic pain patients.

Materials and methods

In this multi-centre, prospective observational study with a comprehensive retrospective section, we analysed the qualitative and quantitative aspects of health care pathways in patients with chronic pain. Over a period of 10 months, patients with the three most common chronic pain syndromes were recruited consecutively at pain clinics in Berlin, Germany. Patients provided information on their prior medical histories and various forms of therapies by means of standardised interviews, and completed specific questionnaires on pain and quality of life. This article reports on data from the retrospective part of the study.

Results

Out of 288 participants (mean age 51.8 years, 72% women) 136 suffered from headache, 99 from low back pain and 53 from neuropathic pain. Patients had a history of chronic pain ranging from 1 to 30 years. Chronicity according to Gerbershagen (grade I: 33%, grade II: 42%, grade III: 25%) was moderate. Complementary therapies were used by up to two-thirds of patients before admission. Up to 54% of the patients indicated an improvement in syndromes under complementary medicine.

Conclusion

Patients utilised various complementary treatment approaches and indicated substantial subjective responses. The utilisation patterns did not follow systematic treatment approaches or recommendations based on current guidelines. These data are only valid for the German health care system. Early integration of different treatment options that consider patients’ preferences might improve the outcome.

Keywords: Chronic pain, Pain clinic, Complementary medicine, Utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)