Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) living in eastern Turkey as well as the factors affecting the use of CAM modalities. Methods:This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from 130 patients with MS at the neurology clinics of Ataturk University. Results: Out of all patients surveyed, 61.5% reported use of at least one form of CAM. The most common three modalities used by these patients were herbs taken orally, relaxation therapies and prayer, with rates of 55.5%, 26.3% and 18.8%, respectively.Massage and relaxation therapies were perceived as very effective by more than half of study participants.It was determined that variables such as education level, residential area and duration of disease affected the use of CAM (P < .05). Conclusions: CAM therapy is widely used by patients with MS in eastern Turkey.
Multiple Sclerosis ; Complementary Therapies

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can progress silently without any clinical symptoms. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the recommended method used in primary care. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PAD and its related risk factors in primary care. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 250 participants aged ≥45 years were recruited randomly from the registered patients of family health center in a district of Izmir, Turkey. Patients’ demographic data, PAD symptoms, and PAD risk factors were obtained. The PAD group consisted of patients with ABI levels <0.9; the non-compressible artery (NCA) group consisted of patients with ABI levels >1.3. Results: The prevalence of PAD was 17.6% (22.5% in women and 11.1% in men), while that of NCA was 15.2% (12.7% in women and 25.0% in men). About 27.3% and 54.5% of patients with PAD did not have claudication and problems with walking distance, respectively. Of the NCA patients, 15.8% had problems with walking distance and 39.5% had claudication. Regression analysis revealed two predictors of PAD (age ≥65 years: odds ratio [OR], 3.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–7.47; claudication: OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.58–7.39) and three predictors of NCA (age <65 years: OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.01–6.45; male sex: OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.10–5.25; triglyceride [TG] >200 mg/dL: OR, 4.11; 95% CI, 1.58–10.67). Conclusion PAD had a prevalence of 17.6% and was associated with age ≥65 years and claudication. NCA had a prevalence of 15.2% and was associated with age <65 years, TG >200 mg/dL, and male sex.