The Effect of Complementary and Supportive Medicine Practices on Sleep and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors : Zümrüt Şahin, Yunus Demirel

Pages : 366-377

View : 66 | Download : 107

Publication Date : 2025-12-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease of unknown etiology with a chronic course involving multiple joints and systems. RA may induce pain, swelling in the joints, and loss of function in individuals. there has been no published study to date that examined the use of CAM in RA patients in terms of sleep and quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to determine the CAM (Complementary and Supportive Medicine) methods used by patients with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and the effects of CAM methods on sleep and quality of life. Material and methods: This research was conducted cross-sectionally. 190 patients with RA were included in the study. Data were collected using a patient information form, the Quality-of-Life Measurement for Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The demographic, socioeconomic, disease, and treatment characteristics of CAM and non-CAM users were determined. Results: Demographic, socioeconomic, disease and treatment characteristics of CAM users and users were determined. While 60.5% of the patients stated that they used at least one type of CAM, 39.5% stated that they did not use CAM. There was no significant difference between CAM users and non-CAM users in terms of age, gender, education level, marital status and income status. CAM use approaches and reasons differ according to the expectation and choice of patient, patient’s sociocultural background, and religious properties. In this study, it was observed that RA patients using TAT had high average quality of life scores and high average sleep quality scores. Conclusions: The results of this study showed a high rate of CAM use. Moreover, patients attended regular check-ups and used CAM methods together with drug treatment. Patients who used CAM did not inform their doctor or nurse about this issue, and they used CAM methods because they thought that they were beneficial. Healthcare professionals are advised to ask patients about the TAT methods they use and to assess their sleep patterns and quality of life.
Keywords : Romatoid artrit, Tamamlayıcı ve destekleyici tıp, uyku kalitesi, yaşam kalitesi

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