Complementary And Alternative Medicine Utilization Research Articles

Prevalence and correlates of complementary and alternative medicine utilization among infertile women attending selected fertility clinics in Khartoum state

Infertility poses multifaceted challenges, prompting many women to explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This study investigated CAM prevalence and types among infertile women in Khartoum. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 253 women. Data was collected through structured interviews, and descriptive and inferential statistics, with a significance level set at p>0.05. The mean age of the participants was 31.59±6.9 years, with 53.8% being graduates, 54.5% diagnosed with primary infertility, and 45.5% with secondary infertility. CAM usage was reported by 52.2% of participants, with herbal treatments being the most prevalent (e.g., fenugreek 26.9%, argell 20.2%). Spiritual healing (11.4%) and folkloric methods (9.5%) were also noted. Most users (76.5%) did not disclose CAM usage to healthcare providers, citing beliefs in safety (56.8%) and effectiveness (39.4%). Family (72%) and friends (46%) significantly influenced CAM use. Infertility duration and rural residence were associated with CAM usage (p=0.002). The study underscores a high prevalence of CAM usage among Sudanese infertile women, primarily herbal remedies, and emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers engaging patients in CAM utilization.

E047 Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with rheumatological conditions at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract Background/Aims The utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has recently increased, especially among patients with rheumatic diseases, particularly those experiencing pain and mobility limitations. CAM use poses potential risks, such as drug interactions and adherence to conventional medicine. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CAM use and evaluate the reasons and determinants among patients with rheumatological diseases who attended the rheumatology outpatient clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Methods In this cross-sectional descriptive study, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatic disease were enrolled at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of KNH. Consecutive sampling technique was employed to select patients. Data collection utilized two validated tools: the self-administered NAFKAM International - CAM-Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) for assessing the prevalence and primary reasons for CAM utilization and the SF-36 questionnaire to assess the quality of life. CAM use was determined as a percentage of all study participants. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire, and the results were compiled to established norms. Mean scores and standard deviations were calculated for each SF-36 subscale, and patients’ overall health-related quality of life was categorized as either good or poor based on a 50% cut-off score. To determine the association between CAM use and socio-demographic factors, as well as HRQOL, the Chi-square test was used, with statistical significance set at a p-value of < 0.05. Results A total of 151 patients, predominantly female (137), with a median age of 45 (IQR 31.5-56.5) years, participated in the study. The prevalence of CAM use was 55.6%. Among the CAM modalities, vitamins/minerals (94%), prayer for health (80.9%), and herbs/herbal products (69%) were the most frequently used. The primary motivation for CAM utilization was to enhance overall well-being, followed by its adoption as an alternative or co-medication due to the high cost of conventional medicine. Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine emerged as the least common reason. CAM use was not influenced by age, gender, marital status, or level of education but was associated with parameters indicating poorer health, as evidenced by the mental component score and physical component score of SF-36. Conclusion The study highlights a significant prevalence of CAM use among patients with rheumatic diseases, indicating a noteworthy trend in healthcare choices. This suggests that many individuals with severe conditions may seek CAM as an adjunctive approach to managing their health. Alternatively, CAM usage might interfere with adherence to conventional medication, potentially exacerbating disease severity. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant in recognizing CAM usage and assessing whether it is preferred over conventional medicine, facilitating informed decisions and patient-centered care. This research contributes valuable insights into the complex landscape of healthcare choices among patients with rheumatological diseases, shedding light on the importance of holistic healthcare management. Disclosure K.M. Juma: None. G.O. Oyoo: None. E.G. Kalman: None.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Treated for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome, or Systemic Sclerosis in a French Rural Region

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is composed of a wide range of interventions and frequently used in parallel with conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, modalities, and association factors of CAM utilization in patients treated for systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren’s syndrome, or systemic sclerosis. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective single-center observational study conducted in a French university hospital center. Inclusion criteria were patients followed for systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren’s syndrome, or systemic sclerosis. Data were collected with a survey which assessed sociodemographic, disease characteristics, CAM use details, life quality, and anxiety score. Results: A total of 121 patients were included, mostly women (87%), with an average age of 56 years. Proportion of patients seeking CAM was 55%. A total of 186 CAM interventions were recorded: most common were osteopathy, homeopathy, and acupuncture. Patients were looking for well-being (22%), reducing their fatigue (18%) and pain (33%). Concerning physical and mental feeling after CAM use, a subjective improvement was reported in 89% of cases. In multivariate analysis, CAM use by patient was associated with these 3 variables: coming from a Western culture, being professionally active, and having a poor quality of life and anxiety scores. Conclusion and Outlook: This is the first study to focus on CAM use in patients followed for three AID in a French rural region. The current challenge is to enrich conventional medicine with CAM that is effective and safe through supervised programs to move toward an integrative medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used by parents for the treatment of functional constipation in children.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained increasing attention as a supportive treatment for chronic diseases such as epilepsy, migraine, autism, and cancer in children. This study aimed to determine the frequency, motivation, and outcomes of CAM in children with functional constipation. From January 2018 till September 2019, parents of patients (0-18 years) who were treated for functional constipation (ROME IV-criteria) at our colorectal center were asked to complete a questionnaire on the utilization of CAM. Demographic data and clinical assessments were documented and analyzed for patients with and without CAM treatment. A total of 115 patients were included (mean age: 5.1 years; 49% males), of whom 29 (25%) used CAM as an alternative (4/29,14%) or in addition to conventional therapy (CT), including osteopathy (48%), homeopathy (45%), and natural/herbal remedies (17%). The main reason parents reported for the use of CAM was the urge to leave no treatment option unattempted (76%). Multivariate analysis also identified persistent constipation under CT (72%), adverse effects of CT (24%), and parental use of CAM themselves (83%) as independent variables associated with CAM use. Parents reported positive changes in stool frequency (38%) and fecal incontinence (21%) with CAM. The vast majority (93%) plan to use CAM in the future, and even non-CAM users showed high interest (60%). One in four children with functional constipation receives CAM. Significant improvement in stool frequency and continence is missing in the majority. However, parental interest in CAM remains high. Physicians should be aware of CAM when counseling families for functional constipation in children.

Managing depression with complementary and alternative medicine therapies: a scientometric analysis and visualization of research activities.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) interventions may prove to be an attractive option for the treatment of depression. The aim of this scientometric analysis is to determine the global scientific output of research regarding managing depression with CAM and identify the hotspots and frontiers within this theme. Publications regarding the utilization of CAM for treating depression were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection from 1993 to 2022, and analyzed and visualized by Bibliometrix R-package, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. A total of 1,710 publications were acquired. The number of annual publications showed an overall rapid upward trend, with the figure peaking at 179 in 2021. The USA was the leading research center. Totally 2,323 distinct institutions involving 7,638 scholars contributed to the research theme. However, most of the cooperation was limited to within the same country, institution or research team. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine was the most productive periodical. The CAM therapies of most interest to researchers were acupuncture and body-mind techniques, such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness. Systematic review and meta-analysis are commonly used methods. "Inflammation," "rating scale" and "psychological stress" were identified as the most studied trend topics recently. Managing depression with evidence-based CAM treatment is gaining attention globally. Body-mind techniques and acupuncture are growing research hotspots or emerging trending topics. Future studies are predicted to potentially investigate the possible mechanisms of action underlying CAM treatments in reducing depression in terms of modulation of psychological stress and inflammation levels. Cross-countries/institutes/team research collaborations should be encouraged and further enhanced.

The prevalence and pattern of complementary and alternative medicine use among cancer patients in a tertiary oncology center: a cross-sectional study.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used nationally and internationally for multiple medical conditions, including different stages of cancer. It is used by the patients for multiple purposes, including to cure diseases or resolve symptoms, as patients have the misconception that natural remedies are safer than radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The aim of this research is to investigate the prevalence, pattern, and purpose of CAM use by cancer patients at Princess Noorah Oncology Center (PNOC), King Abdulaziz Medical City, in Jeddah (KAMC-JD). This was a cross-sectional study that examined 293 patients (selected through random computerized sampling) who were seen at PNOC during the study period. To be eligible for the study, participants had to be cancer patients over the age of 18 who were seen at PNOC. The authors excluded patients who had privacy requests or did not fit our inclusion criteria. Of the sample, 52.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 47.0-58.7] used CAM. Only 5.8% of patients delayed their medical treatment to use CAM. A significantly higher proportion of females used CAM than males (61.8% vs. 40.0%, P<0.001). The most common types of CAM were Zamzam water (67.7%), Quran recitation (42.6%), water read upon Quran (41.3%), and black seed (Nigella sativa) (41.3%). The most frequently reported reasons for CAM use were to treat cancer (53.5%), increase immunity (34.2%), and religious beliefs (23.9%). Generally, 57.4% of CAM users felt improvement with CAM modalities. In conclusion, more than 50% of our sample used CAM; 5.8% of patients delayed the medical treatment to use CAM. The most common type of CAM was Zamzam water, and the most frequently reported reason for CAM use was to treat cancer. Of CAM users, 57.4% felt improvement with CAM modalities. Further studies that involve qualitative designs and include a more diverse sample are recommended in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to understand CAM utilization patterns.

Evaluating the barriers to the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States: An exploratory study

IntroductionThe utilization of certain forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is prevalent among adults in the United States. While researchers have extensively studied the factors influencing CAM use in Western countries, significant barriers to its adoption remain. This paper draws attention to the obstacles faced by individuals in their journey to using CAM. MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted with 21 patients who had turned to CAM for managing a chronic illness/condition. These in-depth, face-to-face interviews occurred in Miami, USA, during 2014–15. The sampling, data collection, and analysis processes of this study adhered to the principles outlined in Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory approach. ResultsFrom the data, three central barriers to CAM utilization in the US emerged: 1) Financial barriers: A significant portion of CAM treatments is not covered by insurance, making them cost-prohibitive for many. 2) Skepticism and discouragement: Both conventional medical practitioners and a segment of the public exhibited a noticeable trend towards discouraging CAM use. 3) Evaluation challenges: Patients expressed difficulty in assessing the efficacy and benefits of various CAM treatments compared to their costs. DiscussionDespite the widespread interest in and use of CAM in the US, numerous barriers hinder its broader integration into mainstream healthcare. These obstacles not only restrict healthcare choices for the general public but also appear to favor a select demographic, potentially based on income and availability of information.

Complementary and alternative medicine use by pregnant women in Japan: a pilot survey

BackgroundComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are popular among women, and are used during their pregnancy in Japan. This study aimed to survey the prevalence of CAM use by healthy pregnant women as a health-care prescribed therapy or self-care and to investigate the factors associated with CAM use in Japan.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, pregnant women after 34 weeks of gestation were asked to respond to a questionnaire at the clinic or online. The questionnaire comprised questions on the participants’ characteristics and their use of CAM for therapy and self-care. Descriptive statistics were calculated in the analyses, and bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between factors and CAM use.ResultsA total of 394 women responded from three hospitals, two clinics, and two midwifery birth centers. CAM was received as treatment by practitioners during pregnancy by 75 women (19.0%). The following therapies were used: traditional Chinese medicine (7.9%), chiropractic (6.9%), moxibustion (6.4%), and acupuncture (5.3%). One or more types of therapy were used as self-care by 348 women (88.3%). Highly used CAM for self-care were: folic acid supplementation (75.4%), other supplements (51.5%), herbs (20.8%), and yoga (19.0%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the factors associated with CAM use as a therapy were midwifery birth centers for planned childbirth settings (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.69–7.83]) and pregnancy complications diagnosed (AOR 2.46, 95%CI [1.38–4.39]). The factors associated with CAM use for self-care were age 30–39 years (AOR 4.48, 95%CI [2.14–9.73]) and over 40 years (AOR 3.92, 95%CI [1.10–13.91]), junior college education or above (AOR 2.30, 95%CI [1.18–4.51]), and primiparas (AOR 3.82, 95%CI [1.86–7.86]). The most common source of information was the “Internet” (43.8%).ConclusionsApproximately 20% of Japanese pregnant women received CAM as therapy by practitioners, and the related factors were: tended to have baby at midwifery birth center and pregnancy complications. Almost 90% of respondents used CAM as self-care and the related factors were: older, had a higher educational level and tended to be primiparas. They used the Internet as their main source of information about CAM. Health care providers need to provide evidenced-based information on CAM and to help decision making to ensure safe and effective CAM utilization by pregnant women.

Prevalence of Complementary and Alternate Medicine Use among People with Diabetes in Kerala, India

Abstract Introduction: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among individuals with diabetes has seen a significant surge. Estimates show that 80% of people in developing countries still prefer CAM for the treatment of health conditions. CAM encompasses various medical practices outside mainstream medicine and is increasingly employed for the reasons such as enhancing control over treatment, adopting a holistic health approach, and managing conditions alongside conventional medicine. CAM is widely embraced, due to cultural factors and perceived benefits, driving its popularity. Despite varying opinions on the impact of CAM on glycemic control, its substantial use prompts the need for a focused study. Objective: The present study explores the utilization of CAM in people with diabetes and examines potential associations with various factors that could influence CAM use. Methods: Between October 2022 and June 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 335 people with type 2 diabetes at our center using a validated structured questionnaire to explore their utilization of CAM. Results: Among the study participants, 40.7% used CAM to treat diabetes. Among them, 40.6% of subjects used CAM as complementary to modern medicine and 59.4% used CAM as an alternative to modern medicine. 65.2% of people used Ayurveda, followed by homeopathic medicines (16.3%), yoga (5.2%), naturopathy (3%), massage therapy (1.5%), and ladoo therapy (0.7%). Some of the participants had used multiple types of CAM for their diabetes treatment. 1.5% of participants used homeopathy and Ayurveda decoction. 0.7% of CAM users used Ayurveda + naturopathy, a combination of Ayurveda + Unani, and the combination of Ayurveda + protein supplements. Other therapies (traditional medicine) were found to be used by 1.5% of CAM users. Among the CAM users, 73.5% chose CAM for the treatment of diabetes, while for 14.4%, it was recommended by family and friends. It was found that 83.7% of subjects discontinued CAM use, while a minuscule share of 16.3% continued with CAM. Among those discontinued, 43.4% did not find CAM to be effective, whereas 44.3% had other reasons for discontinuing CAM. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for increased awareness and education regarding CAM use and its potential hazards. Health-care providers should consider discussing CAM use with their patients and encourage them to report its use to ensure comprehensive and safe medical care. Proper CAM practice and management are important for people with diabetes.

Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine by perimenopausal women in China: a cross-sectional study.

To investigate the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by perimenopausal women and explore factors associated with their preference. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 558 perimenopausal women in Wuhan, China. Online questionnaires were available from December 2021 to April 2022. Instruments used were the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire and the Greene Climacteric Scale. The association between scores and participants' sociodemographic characteristics and perimenopausal symptoms was analyzed using multiple linear regression. The overall utilization of CAM by perimenopausal women was 50.4% (281/558). Perimenopausal symptoms affecting the frequency of CAM usage included anxiety (adjusted β = 0.18), somatic (adjusted β = 0.07), and vasomotor symptoms (adjusted β = 0.76), P < 0.05. The most commonly used CAM were massage (37.7%), herbal therapies (19.9%), and dietary supplements (18.2%). Walking (58.6%) was the most popular self-practice therapy. Perimenopausal women consulted Western (38.4%) and Chinese medicine physicians (34.8%) and dentists (36.0%) most frequently. Perimenopausal women experience discomforts during this age-related stage, and their use of CAM to manage symptoms is common. The usage and preferences of these management strategies are worthy of further exploration. There is a need to understand cost-effective and appropriate management interventions to improve the quality of life of perimenopausal women.

Complementary Medicine Practice and Use of Dietary Supplements in Pediatric Cancer Patients in Croatia.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become a customary practice among pediatric cancer patients worldwide. The frequency of its use by pediatric cancer patients in Croatia has not been previously determined. Methodology:In order to establish the frequency and detect factors affecting the use of CAM, a single-center, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Children's Hospital Zagreb during a two-year period. The patients' parents and caregivers were offered an anonymous, multi-item questionnaire that collected socio-economic and clinical data, as well as details on CAM and dietary supplement practice. Results:Almost half of the participants reported CAM and more than two-thirds reported dietary supplement consumption, predominantly in the intensive phase of the treatment. Factors regarding children or parents had no effect on CAM and supplement utilization. Herbal medicine, vitamins, and minerals were among the most commonly used items. Every 10th child experienced at least one adverse event during CAM and supplement use. Awareness of the CAM and dietary supplement application in pediatric oncology patients needs to be raised due to the potential interactions with conventional treatment modalities. For this reason, it is extremely important to inform parents and caregivers of pediatric oncology patients about the use of CAM and dietary supplements to predict and mitigate the occurrence and intensity of the side effects. In the majority of our cases, the patient'sguardians informed the healthcare professionals about the CAM and supplement implementation in their children, therefore, they were offered additional information about the possible negative impact of CAM and supplement use on standard medical care in a timely manner.

Perioperative attitudes of breast cancer patients towards the complementary and alternative medicine based on a survey conducted at the National Institute of Oncology in Hungary.

The popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing among cancer patients worldwide. 45% of women diagnosed with breast cancer use CAM, 62.5% of younger patients do so. So far, only one study has been published in Hungary, according to which 84.4% of Hungarian women with breast cancer use some form of complementary medicine. The utilization of some CAM modalities carries risks due to drug interactions. It is important to get to know the needs and habits of Hungarian patients in relation to CAM, which knowledge can be directly used in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to assess the extent of CAM utilization among Hungarian breast cancer patients, to examine the reasons behind this choice, and to see the relating/connecting demographic, psychological and clinical factors. In a cross-sectional survey, a self-administered questionnaire was used among inpatients at the Department of Breast and Soft Tissue Surgery in the National Institute of Oncology (n = 146). We assessed socio-demographic data, characteristics of CAM use, attitudes toward CAM, and the need for health control. Clinical data were added to the questionnaire data. 36% of the respondents visited some CAM providers, 71% used CAM preparation and 64% utilized self-help practices. Most patients are informed about these by a healthcare professional. The holistic approach is dominant in the sample as well as internal and social external control. Visitors to CAM providers and CAM preparation users have a stronger need for internal control. Visitors to CAM providers and self-help practitioners judge their own health status more favorable. The information that patients receive from people who are important to them, especially the caregiver, is crucial in their health-related behavior, including the choice of CAM. It is important to see such a high level of patient trust in health professionals and a strong need to discuss information about CAM, as well as a sense of responsibility for their health and active participation in treatment. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(9): 350-361.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Utilization among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinics in Tongaren Sub-County, Kenya: a Cross-sectional Survey

Background: In Kenya, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been used in almost every culture to manage intolerable symptoms of pregnancy since ancient times. However, studies in Kenya have focused on herbal medicine which is just one of CAM practices. In rural settings (such Tongaren Sub-County), no studies have ever evaluated the prevalence and determinants of CAM use during pregnancy including the common CAM modalities used, and so there is need to bridge these knowledge gaps. Purpose: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of CAM utilization and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Tongaren Sub-County, Bungoma County. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed in collecting data from 340 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Tongaren, Kenya. Quantitative data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Chi-square test was used to establish the associations between socio-demographic variables and CAM usage, and multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the relative effects of the various aspects of the variables which were significantly associated with CAM usage. Results: Among the 340 participants, 50.7% indicated using CAM modalities during pregnancy, indicating that CAM use prevalence in Tongaren is about 50%. 55.80% of CAM users concomitantly use CAM and conventional medicine. The high CAM use prevalence among participants was motivated by the preference of CAM over conventional medicine for certain illnesses (31.4%) and the perceived lack of response to conventional medicine (20.1%). It was noted that marital status, educational attainment of the spouse, employment status, occupation type, and household monthly income level are the major determinants of CAM usage. From the logistic regression analysis, the variables positively associated with CAM use among pregnant women were married status (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.341, p = 0.008), having a spouse with informal education (OR = 5.371, p &lt; 0.001), self-employed status (OR = 0.415, p = 0.028), farming occupation (OR = 2.777, p = 0.206), and household monthly income higher than 35,000 Kshs (OR = 0.093, p = 0.012). Conclusions: Due to the widespread trust in the safety and efficacy of CAM, the utilization of CAM during pregnancy is common among women in Tongaren Sub-County, which is a rural setting, and therefore CAM can be regarded as the backbone of rural health care in Kenya.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Patients on Long Term Treatment in a Tertiary Health Institution in Jos Nigeria.

Background:The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is on the increase globally and found to be more pronounced among those with chronic illnesses even in the face of insufficient scientific evidence to support its efficacy. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the level of use of CAM and its predictors among patients on long term care in tertiary health institution.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 176 patients accessing treatment for chronic medical conditions in Jos University Teaching Hospital using quantitative method of data collection. Epi Info statistical software version 7 was used for data analysis and a value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The median age of respondents was 50 (IQR 30–84) years with 83 (47.2%) being 51 years and above. Utilization of CAM was reported among 72 (40.9%) with herbal preparation ranking highest among 56 (77.8%) the respondents. Absence of side effects (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.6918–3.2135) and consistency with culture (AOR = 4.46; 95% CI = 1.4695–6.1851) were identified predictors of CAM use.Conclusions:This study has demonstrated a relatively high level of CAM use with perceived absence of side effects, peer influence, and consistency with culture predicting its use.

Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Professional Voice Users

Objectives To determine the prevalence and specific modalities of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by professional voice users (PVUs) for vocal ailments and to examine the PVU's health care utilization. Methods A Canadian national cross-sectional survey was conducted. Surveys were distributed electronically to members of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists; the National Association of Teachers of Singing; the Canadian Actors Equity Association; and the Department of Vocal Performance at Western University. Participants were asked about the products/therapies they use to improve vocal health. Frequency of use, health care utilization, and general influencers in treatment choice were also collected. Results Two hundred eighty-eight participants completed the survey. 86% of participants claimed to have taken at least one form of CAM when experiencing voice loss or a negative voice change. Of the respondents, 18% claimed to use products/therapies for vocal health routinely in the absence of vocal ailments. The most common CAMs used were hot drinks with honey and/or lemon, lozenges, and inhaling steam. When vocally ill, PVUs were significantly more likely to use CAMs than any other treatment method. Voice teachers and medical doctors most commonly influenced the choice of the treatment. Conclusion This study illustrated the substantial prevalence of CAMs in the PVU community. Understanding the utilization of CAMs can help clinicians navigate treatment strategies for this patient population.

Relationship between different anti-rheumatic drug therapies and complementary and alternative medicine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an interview based cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is highly prevalent. The relationship of these remedies with disease therapy are not fully studied. We aimed to explore the relationship between different anti-rheumatic drug therapy and CAM use in RA patients. MethodsThe study used an interview-based cross-sectional survey in two major referral centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients were adults with confirmed RA that attended rheumatology clinics. Information on the utilization of CAM, RA duration, drug therapy, and laboratory parameters were obtained. Descriptive statistics as well as adjusted odds ratio using bivariate logistic regression were used to explore the different factors related to CAM use, including drug therapy. ResultsA total of 438 adult patients with RA were included. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 49 (±15.0) years. The majority were women 393 (89.7%). Two hundred and ninety-two patients (66.7%) had used CAM. The CAM users who had a longer disease duration (AOR 1.041 [95% CI: 1.011, 1.073]; p = 0.008) were more likely to be female (AOR 2.068 [95% CI: 1.098, 3.896]; p = 0.024), and use methotrexate (AOR 1.918 [95% CI: 1.249, 2.946]; p = 0.003) as opposed to celecoxib (AOR 0.509 [95% CI: 0.307, 0.844]; p = 0.009) and biologic monotherapy (AOR 0.443 [95% CI: 0.224, 0.876]; p = 0.019). Other factors related to CAM were meloxicam use (AOR 2.342 [95% CI: 1.341, 4.089]; p = 0.003) and traditional therapy (AOR 2.989 [95% CI: 1.647, 5.425]; p = 0.000). The remaining factors were not significant. ConclusionCAM use is prevalent in patients with RA. Understanding patients and disease related factors associated with higher use of CAM is warranted to improve RA management and provide more rational use of these remedies.

Awareness and Practices of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Paediatric Patients Visiting Two Tertiary Care Hospitals in Mangaluru: An Interview Based Study

This study aims to find out the details of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in children, including factors favouring their use and concomitant usage of allopathic drugs along with CAM. The study also analyses the communication between allopathic practitioners and patients regarding utilization of CAM. It was an interview based study based on a semi-structured interview. The study sample included parents of children waiting in the paediatric outpatient department. A total of 200 parents were interviewed. Though most of the parents were aware about CAM, around 10% parents were ignorant. Ayurveda was the most commonly used CAM followed by homeopathy. Fifty-four children had taken CAM for the first time at an age of less than 6 months. The most common condition for which children were taking CAM was related to the diseases of respiratory system. The primary reason for preferring CAM over allopathy is that they believe it is natural and has no adverse effects. Only 23% of the parents voluntarily informed the doctors that the child was taking CAM concurrently and half of the parents stated that the treating physician did not enquire regarding CAM therapy. As evident from the study, use of CAM in children starts at a very early age hence the safety and efficacy of these therapies should be well established before children are exposed to them. Hazards of concomitant administration of CAM along with allopathic medicines should also be carefully evaluated by all the treating physicians.

Study of awareness, attitude, and utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among patients visiting urban and rural health centers

Worldwide there is a recent increase in the usage of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), which has been defined as a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices and products that are presently not considered to be a part of conventional medicine. The objectives were to assess and to compare the awareness, perspective, and utilization of CAM among urban and rural patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 out-patients attending the urban and rural health centers with a standardized questionnaire. MS Excel and Epi Info were used for data entry and analysis. The awareness of CAM was 71% of urban patients and 63% of rural patients. Despite the awareness of CAM, the urban patient either liked CAM (32%) or apathetic towards CAM (32%) and rural patients mostly apathetic towards CAM (47%). Both areas of patients (41%) used CAM, of which 36% were urban patients and 46% were rural patients. There is a higher proportion of aware patients in rural areas (73%) used CAM when compared to the usage of CAM by aware patients in the urban area (51%). Despite the usage of CAM, both areas of patients preferred Allopathy. In summary, this study demonstrated that most patients are aware of CAM, but patients were mostly apathetic towards CAM. Around half of the patients utilized alternative medicine.

Patterns and Outcomes of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adult Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes demyelination of the central nervous system. No treatment has been shown to be curative; thus, we assume that the tendency for patients with MS to use unconventional therapies, such as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), might increase. The aim of this study was to explore the pattern of CAM use among patients with MS at a tertiary health care center in Saudi Arabia (SA).This was a questionnaire-based observational cross-sectional study that targeted adult patients diagnosed with MS at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, SA, from 2018 to 2019. The sample size included 176 patients, and a consecutive non-probability sampling technique was used to engage them during their appointments. An Arabic questionnaire was used to evaluate patients’ use of CAM.The mean age of participants was 34.6 ± 10.9 years, females represented the majority 125 (71%) of participants, and 89% of the participants reported using CAM at least once, with one or more modalities being used. Prayer, Salat, was the most frequent modality (60%) followed by supplication, Dua'a (59%), Ruqia, reciting Holy Quran (52%), and vitamins (44%). Symptomatic improvement was reported by 49 (27.8%) of dietary supplement users and 81 (46%) of non-dietary supplement medicine users.The study found a high prevalence of CAM utilization among Saudi adult patients with MS, which exceeded internationally reported rates. Although some patients described some improvement in their symptoms, further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of CAM.

The Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Saudi Older Adults: A Population-Based Study.

Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an integral part of patients' therapeutic experience worldwide. Among Saudi older adults, less is known about CAM utilization. Objectives. To determine the prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with CAM utilization among SOA. Methods. In the Saudi National Survey for Elderly Health (SNSEH), subjects were asked about CAM use during the last twelve months before the interview. CAM use was defined as any use of herbal products, acupuncture, bloodletting, cauterization, medical massage, bones manual manipulation, honey, or religious rituals. Demographic characteristics included gender, age, marital status, region, educational level, and residence area. In addition, multiple comorbidities were included as possible factors that may be associated with CAM use. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with CAM utilization. All statistical analyses were done using STATA v.14. Results. Out of 2946 respondents, 50.4% were males, the mean age was 70.3 ± 8.3 years, and 70% were illiterate. CAM use was prevalent (62.5%). The most common CAM types were herbal products (25.4%), acupuncture (21.2%), bloodletting (12%), honey (9.5%), cauterization (7.4%), medical massage and bones manual manipulation (4%), and traditional bone setting (2.1%). In the multivariable regression, age, gender, and marital status did not have an impact on the odds of using CAM. Subjects from rural areas were 2.92 times more likely to use CAM compared with subjects in urban areas (OR = 2.92; 95%CI: 2.28‐3.75). Subjects with metabolic disorders (OR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.42‐0.60) or kidney disease were less likely to use CAM (OR = 0.30; 95%CI: 0.14‐0.64). About pain, CAM is used more in neck pain (OR = 1.69; 95%CI: 1.30‐2.21) and also used in back pain (OR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.03‐1.46). Conclusions. CAM use was very prevalent among SOA. Clinicians and pharmacists must ask about CAM use among older adults as many of CAM may interact with patients medications.