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Article

Characteristics of Adverse Events in Bee Venom Therapy Reported in South Korea: A Survey Study

1
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Korea
2
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
3
Department of the History of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju 58245, Korea
4
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haani University, Gyeongsan 38610, Korea
5
Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University Hospital of Korea Medicine, Jeonju 54986, Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxins 2022, 14(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14010018
Submission received: 6 December 2021 / Revised: 21 December 2021 / Accepted: 23 December 2021 / Published: 27 December 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Drug—Bee Venom Interactions)

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating Korean patients’ experience with bee venom therapy (BVT) and providing evidence to enhance BVT safety. Thus, an anonymous online survey was conducted between August 22 and 28, 2018. Five hundred respondents who underwent pharmacopuncture (PA) within one year were surveyed (sample error: 95 ± 4.38%). Of these, 32 respondents were excluded and 468 were evaluated. Of the 468, 61 reported experiencing adverse events after PA. The adverse event rate was higher in the BV-PA(Bee venom-Pharmacopuncture) group than in the non-A group; however, intergroup differences were insignificant. There were no significant differences in mild symptom intensity between the BV-PA and non-BV-PA groups (p = 0.572). However, there was a significant intergroup difference in severe symptom intensity (p < 0.001). Additionally, the BV-PA and non-BV-PA groups did not significantly differ in their level of satisfaction either overall or in terms of effectiveness and safety (p = 0.414, p = 0.339, and p = 0.675, respectively). Furthermore, the BV-PA and non-BV-PA groups did not differ regarding intent to re-treat (p = 0.722). Severe adverse events such as anaphylactic shock were not reported; however, BVT practitioners should be cautious when applying it.
Keywords: bee venom; bee venom therapy; bee venom acupuncture; safety; survey bee venom; bee venom therapy; bee venom acupuncture; safety; survey

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kim, K.; Jeong, H.; Lee, G.; Jang, S.; Yook, T. Characteristics of Adverse Events in Bee Venom Therapy Reported in South Korea: A Survey Study. Toxins 2022, 14, 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14010018

AMA Style

Kim K, Jeong H, Lee G, Jang S, Yook T. Characteristics of Adverse Events in Bee Venom Therapy Reported in South Korea: A Survey Study. Toxins. 2022; 14(1):18. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14010018

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kim, Kyeonghan, Hyein Jeong, Gihyun Lee, Soobin Jang, and Taehan Yook. 2022. "Characteristics of Adverse Events in Bee Venom Therapy Reported in South Korea: A Survey Study" Toxins 14, no. 1: 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14010018

APA Style

Kim, K., Jeong, H., Lee, G., Jang, S., & Yook, T. (2022). Characteristics of Adverse Events in Bee Venom Therapy Reported in South Korea: A Survey Study. Toxins, 14(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14010018

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