針灸療法的使用在慢性病人中是相當普遍的。至於骨科的病人是否也常使用針灸療法則尚不清楚，為了有助於回答這個問題，我們於中國醫藥學院附設醫院的骨科門診，做了一份關於骨科病人使用針灸療法的調查。 我們的調查發現，在中國醫藥學院附設醫院的骨科門診中，罹患膝部疼痛的病人，約有一半比率 (46.7%)的人接受針灸療法。雖然針灸治療是中國傳統醫學，但曾接受針灸療法的病人，更認為需以科學和理性的方法來評估的想法 (OR=1.38，p=0.08)；但是不管是否曾接受過針灸治療他們對針灸得氣的認知，沒有統計學上顯著的差異。兩者在生活品質量表 (Medical Outcome Study-Short Form；SF-36)方面，即使調整了年齡、性別、兩側疼痛或單側疼痛、和疼痛期間長短，都沒有達到統計學上顯著的差異。 當西醫骨科罹患膝部疼痛門診病人越需要使用止痛藥，越有接受針灸治療的傾向 (p = 0.081)。40.8% 的病人是為了控制疼痛，而接受針灸治療。在接受針灸治療後，有42.9%的病人獲得主觀上的改善。絕大部分 (91.8%) 接受針灸治療的西醫骨科罹患膝部疼痛門診病人，未曾告訴骨科醫師有關針灸的使用。由於膝部疼痛或骨關節炎經常是讓病人到醫院求治的病因，但是只有8.2%的病人會告知醫生有關針灸的使用，所以醫生應該要主動詢問病人是否使用針灸療法。; Background: Use of acupuncture is common among persons with chronic conditions. The number of orthopedic patients also using acupuncture is not yet known. To help answer this question, a survey of orthopedic patients concerning their use of acupuncture will be performed in orthopedic clinics in a university hospital in the middle Taiwan. Objective: To identify correlates of and describe patients’ perspective on use of acupuncture for knee pain. Design: Cross sectional questionnaire survey. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will be evaluated with the Medical Outcome Study-Short Form (SF-36). This questionnaire evaluates the impact to self-rate 36 items measuring eight health domains. Setting: In university clinics of orthopedics. Patients: Eligible consecutive adult patients with scheduled appointments. Measurements: Patients answered questions on acupuncture use, functional status, quality of life, pain, provider satisfaction, and health services utilization. Chart reviews provided demographic information and orthopedic diagnoses. Bivariate analyses identified correlates of four acupuncture outcomes (history, magnitude, and frequency of acupuncture use and communication about acupuncture use with orthopedic surgeon), and multiple logistic regression identified independent correlates of regular acupuncture use. Patients were asked to complete the questionnaire administered by a survey assistant in the waiting room after scheduled visit with an orthopedic surgeon. Results: A random sample of 110 patients visited for orthopedic outpatient care were given a questionnaire addressing their use of acupuncture therapies. A significant proportion (46.7%) of orthopedic outpatients used and frequently (42.9%) perceived a benefit from acupuncture therapies. There was no statistical difference in the awareness of “De Qi” during acupuncture among knee pain outpatients. Conclusions: Because sociodemographic variables do not predict use, and reported use to doctors is low (8.2%) and perceived effectiveness is high (42.9%), increased awareness and understanding about acupuncture by health care professionals seems imperative.
