Relationship of rational drug use with health anxiety and cyberchondria in individuals with chronic diseases

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between rational drug use, health anxiety and cyberchondria in individuals with and without chronic disease. The research was carried out with 100 individuals with chronic disease and 105 individuals without chronic disease, aged between 18-65 years, who applied to Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hospital Daily Treatment Service between November 2020-April 2021. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Patient Information Form, the Rational Drug Use Scale, the Health Anxiety Scale and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale. Rational Drug Use Scale mean score of those with chronic disease was 37.42±4.63; Health Anxiety Scale mean score was 20.92±9.97; Cyberchondria Severity Scale mean score was 79.13±23.32. Rational Drug Use Scale mean score of those without chronic disease was 37.28±3.66; Health Anxiety Scale mean score was 15.83±5.86; Cyberchondria Severity Scale mean score was 82.33±20.90. Rational drug use levels were sufficient in both groups. Health Anxiety level was higher in those with chronic disease (p<0.05). Cyberchondria 'Excessiveness' and Cyberchondria 'Doctor Distrust' levels were higher in those without chronic disease (p<0.05). According to the marital status of those with chronic disease, Cyberchondria 'Extreme' levels are; between Cyberchondria 'Extreme Anxiety' and 'Extremeness' levels according to working status; There was a difference between Cyberchondria 'Extreme' levels according to education level (p<0.05). According to the duration of drug use of those with chronic diseases, Cyberchondria 'Doctor Distrust' levels are; There was a difference between 'Health Anxiety levels' according to the frequency of referral to the health institution/physician (p<0.05). There was a difference between 'Rational Drug Use levels, Cyberchondria levels and cyberchondria 'Extreme' levels according to the education level of those without chronic disease. (p<0.05). There was a difference between 'Rational Drug Use' levels according to the frequency of referral to the health institution/physician of those without chronic disease (p<0.05). In both groups, a weak positive relationship was found between Health Anxiety and Cyberchondria levels (p<0.05). A very weak negative relationship was found between Rational Drug Use and Health Anxiety levels of those without chronic diseases. A very weak negative relationship was found between Rational Drug Use and Cyberchondria 'Peace of Mind' levels of those without chronic diseases (p<0.05).