Adverse events following acupuncture: A prospective survey of 13,884 consultations in a university out-patient acupuncture training clinic in Brazil

IntroductionAcupuncture is increasingly used in mainstream western clinical practice but its safe use particularly during acupuncture training has not been established. The aim of this study was to identify any adverse events following acupuncture, performed by medical residents in training in the out-patient clinic of the Rio Preto Medical School (Famerp) and to compare the findings with previous literature.MethodsA prospective observational study was carried out over a period of 28 months as part of clinical practice delivered as part of acupuncture training programme. A serious adverse effect was defined as one which needed specific intervention or interfered with the patient's normal life.ResultsOver the time period there were 13,884 consultations with 1157 patients who had received acupuncture treatment for several pathologies, mainly musculoskeletal diseases. No serious adverse events were identified. The rate of minor adverse events per consultation was 7.97%, the most common were; bleeding (4.1%), pain at the site of needle (3.01%) and itching/redness (0.43%).ConclusionsAcupuncture provided by physicians, even in a training programme, is a relatively safe treatment. Emphasis must be still given to the knowledge of conventional medicine, the study of anatomy and constant supervision.This article belongs to the Special Issue: Ensuring and Improving Patients' Safety in Integrative Health Care.