An evaluation of traditional and complementary medicine attitudes in patients with scleroderma

This descriptive study was conducted to examine the attitudes of patients diagnosed with scleroderma toward traditional and complementary medicine (TCM). The research data were collected between February 2024 and June 2024 from patients receiving treatment at the rheumatology outpatient clinic and inpatient unit of a university hospital in a province. The study population consisted of 90 patients who applied to the rheumatology clinic, and the sample included 37 patients determined through power analysis. After obtaining the necessary approvals, data were collected using a questionnaire and the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Attitude Scale (TCMAS). The scale, which comprises three subdimensions, yields scores ranging from a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 189, with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes. The mean total score of the scale for patients included in the study was found to be 104.98±20.62. Among the patients who used TCM methods, 88.2% reported using herbal products. Patients diagnosed within the last 0–3 years had lower total scale and cognitive perspective toward complementary medicine subdimension scores compared to those diagnosed for eight years or more. Patients who had knowledge about the disease had significantly higher scores in the holistic health perspective subdimension than those who lacked knowledge (p<0.05). Additionally, patients experiencing dry eyes and difficulty swallowing who used TCM methods had higher total scale scores and cognitive perspective subdimension scores. In conclusion, it was found that scleroderma patients had a moderate average score on the attitude scale and that most used TCM methods without informing healthcare professionals. Based on these findings, it is recommended that healthcare professionals be informed about whether patients are using TCM methods and that both patients and the general public be educated about these practices.