뇌졸중 환자의 퇴원 후 한방 이용 실태 및 관련 요인

Abstract

College of Nursing, Seoul National University*, and University of Ulsan, Asan Medical center, Department of Neurology** Background : Although stroke patients often use herbal treatment after being discharged from a hospital, studies regarding the prevalence, types, and effect of herbal medicine use, and possible predictors of herbal treatment use have not been carried out in our country. Subjects and Methods : We randomly selected 340 stroke patients who were admitted to the Asan Medical Center between 1994-1998. A follow up telephone interview was performed 3~7 years after the onset of stroke in 100 patients. With the use of a questionnaire, we assessed the rates, types, duration, reasons for use, and the subjective effects, of herbal treatment. We also assessed the current use of herbal treatment, and the patients’socio-economic status. The presence of risk factors & neurological deficits were obtained from the medical records. Results : Forty (40%) of the patients reported that they tried herbal treatment after a discharge. Subjective positive effects of treatment were noted in 50% of users. An average duration of treatment was 4 years, and a combined therapy of acupuncture and herbal medicine was common (63%). The most common reason of receiving herbal treatment was recommendations from friends/family(83%). Univariate analysis showed that factors related to the use of herbal treatment were: the presence of diabetes mellitus p<0.01), motor impairment (p<0.05), sensory dysfunction (p<0.01), dysarthria (p<0.05) and dysphagia (p<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that economic status was the most mportant factor explaining the use of herbal treatment. The presence of sensory dysfunction (p=0.063), age (p=0.052), the level of education(p=0.058), and gender( p=0.089) reached a marginal significance. C o n c l u s i o n s : Herbal medicine use is popular even in stroke patients who are admitted to a western style hospital. Approximately half of the herbal medicine users consider it as effective. Herbal medicine use is closely related to the patients’economic status.