Conventional Complementary And Alternative Medicine Research Articles

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Patients with Cervical Cancer Patients at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indonesia. As a culturally rich country, Indonesia has various traditional medicines that are passed through generations to maintain health conditions as local wisdom in the society. A combination of conventional complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used by cancer patients. This study aims to describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine among cervical cancer patients in H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan.Method: This is a descriptive observational study with a cross-sectional design. Subjects were patients diagnosed with cervical cancer at Gyneco-Oncology Clinic, H. Adam Malik Hospital, Medan. Fifty patients were interviewed with questions about the type, frequency, source of information, satisfaction rate, and openness to doctors regarding the use of CAM. Data were collected from July - September 2023.Results: The types of CAM used were nutritional therapy (39.3%), mind-body interventions (27.1%), herbs (23.4%), massage (9.3%), and acupuncture (0.9%). Most of the subjects used a combination of 2 types of CAM (74%). Most of the respondents (82%) were satisfied with CAM, and 48% of respondents did not inform doctors regarding the CAM used.Conclusion: All cervical cancer outpatients at H. Adam Malik Hospital used CAM together with conventional cancer therapy. The doctors should actively ask about the CAM that is used by the patients since not all patients disclose the information to their healthcare provider.

Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: a questionnaire-based study.

To assess the prevalence and characteristics of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Poland. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive and disabling neurological disease with significant impact on quality of life. Although the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has not been scientifically confirmed, many patients use CAM as a complement or an alternative to conventional therapy. Data was collected via a self-designed survey consisting of 33 questions. The questionnaire was distributed among MS patients hospitalised during 2016 in the MS Unit at the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. The study group consisted of 75 patients (47 females, 28 males, mean age 44.6 ± 12.5 years) with clinically defined MS. According to the questionnaire, 48 patients (64%) had used CAM at least once. Most of the patients declared that CAM had a possible (58%) or a marked (43.7%) positive effect. 61.4% of CAM users reported reduced fatigue and 33.3% improved mood. There were significant correlations between CAM use and lower social and professional status (p < 0.04), disease progression (p < 0.03), and lack of efficacy of disease-modifying therapies (p < 0.04). There were no significant correlations between CAM usage and sex, habitation, education, marital or professional status. The most frequently used CAMs were vitamins (48%), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (36%); psychophysical methods (44%) included manual therapies (24%) and relaxation techniques (17.3%) as well as herbal medicine (29.3%). Physicians were considered to be the most reliable authority in both conventional treatment (97.3%) and CAM (67%). Complementary and alternative medicine users significantly more often discussed this issue with their doctors (56%) compared to patients who did not use alternative medicine (p < 0.05). However, 54% of patients did not inform their physician about CAM use. Responders said that physicians did not initiate discussion about it (55.9%), but 44% of patients would like to have the possibility of talking to a doctor about CAM. Although CAM efficacy and safety is not confirmed, one should keep in mind that most MS patients use alternative methods, especially those individuals with a more severe phenotype. Physicians are mostly perceived as reliable authorities and therefore they should discuss this issue with patients in order to eliminate drug interactions and to improve compliance.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by U.S. Adults with Self-Reported Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis: Results from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have been reported for the management of arthritis. However, little is known about CAM use among adults with self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. To determine (1) the prevalence and type of CAM use, (2) the difference in characteristics between CAM users and non-CAM users, and (3) the factors related to CAM use, among U.S. adults with self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Secondary analysis of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. The NHIS is a cross-sectional survey that gathers health-related data on the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. The NHIS 2012 uses a complex, multistage sampling design and oversamples minorities to achieve population representation; it included 34 525 adults, with 7179 adults having arthritis. Data were analyzed using Stata 15.1 survey syntax. The potential factors related to CAM use included sociodemographics and health-related characteristics. CAM modalities were categorized into six groups: natural products, manipulative therapies, mind-body therapies, special diets, movement therapies, and other practitioner-based CAM modalities. Of the adults with arthritis, 2428 (weighted estimate of 36.2% of U.S. adult population) had used CAM within the last year. Adults with arthritis reported greater use of CAM than those without, particularly the use of natural products, manipulative therapies and other practitioner-based CAM modalities. Factors associated with higher CAM use included being female, residing in regions other than the U.S. South, having a college degree or higher, reporting very good/excellent self-rated health status, and having current symptoms of joint stiffness/pain. As more than one-third of U.S. adults with arthritis seek CAM therapies, open and nonjudgmental conversations between conventional medicine providers, CAM providers, and patients should be encouraged to ensure patient health care needs are being met. III.

"I Could Feel It!": A Qualitative Study on How Users of Complementary Medicine Experience and Form Knowledge About Treatments.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine how users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) experience various forms of treatments, form knowledge about them, and understand the boundaries between CAM and conventional health care. Method: Semistructured qualitative interviews, with 10 CAM users in Sweden, analyzed with qualitative content analysis and quantitative network analysis, and subsequent network visualizations. Findings and Conclusion: The main findings stressed the importance to CAM users of bodies and physical experiences, both in experiencing and forming knowledge about treatments. Physical experience was often contrasted with theoretical understanding. Another key finding was that the CAM users seemed to set up different standards for conventional and public health care and CAM. Although scientific explanations were considered as generally important for legitimacy, and conventional health care was expected to be evidence based, they were less important to personal use and in the use of CAM. In these cases, firsthand experience of positive effects were decisive.

Patient Journeys of Nonintegration in Hungary: A Qualitative Study of Possible Reasons for Considering Medical Modalities as Mutually Exclusive.

Introduction: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been increasing in the past decades in tandem with changes regarding the notions of health and illness. Comparing conventional medicine (CM) and CAM in how they address health problems has been a point of focus for both the health sciences and individuals dealing with health problems. Various social, cultural, political, economic, and personal factors play a role in whether different health approaches are integrated or not when addressing illness experiences. Methods: The qualitative study comprised semistructured interviews (N = 9) and participant observation involving 105 patients conducted between January 2015 and May 2017 at 4 clinics of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Budapest, Hungary. Code structures were created inductively with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: The mutually exclusive view of CM/CAM use occurred due to loss of trust in the doctor-patient relationship causing problems in communication, and also as a result of the patient espousing certain cultural dispositions. Significant dispositions included a preference for the “natural” and psychologization, the latter often manifested in psychosocial etiology, vitalism, and illness symbolism. Discussion: A polarized choice of therapy may occur as a result of a competitive health care market in which medical modalities and their underlying cultural systems compete within a global milieu of information proliferation and a hybridization of individual worldviews. Through a process of “cultural creolization”, changing concepts of health and illness create varying patient expectations and meanings regarding illness, which in turn affect therapy choice as well. Conclusion: Mirrored in the articulation of an individual’s illness trajectory is a tension that is also reflected in the struggles in the health care system to more adequately understand health/illness processes from a pluralistic perspective. The power relations in the health arena (among CAM/CM practitioners and systems) play a role in legitimizing or undermining different health practices, which as consequence affects the possibility of integrating them into the processes of care. Thus, therapy choice is not only linked to changing notions of health and illness, but also to shifting conceptualizations of self, identity, and the practitioner-patient relationship.

Treating People with Arthritis with Traditional Chinese Medicine (Tcm): An Examination of the Perception of Tcm Practitioners

Emerging evidence has shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a positive effect on arthritis. This research provides the first critical, systematic examination of TCM practitioners' perceptions of TCM use for people with arthritis. An online survey was distributed to all TCM professionals including acupuncturists and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners registered with the Practitioner Research and Collaborate Initiative (PRACI) practitioner database. The survey questions focus on practitioner characteristics, practice characteristics and clinical management approaches regarding arthritis care. The survey attracted a response rate of 53% (n=52). The average age of the respondents was 49.9 years, more than half were female, and the majority held a bachelor degree or higher qualification. More than two thirds of TCM practitioners in our study worked with other health professionals, while they had a high level of referral relationships with a wide range of conventional, allied health and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers. Most of the TCM practitioners reported that their patients with arthritis used other treatments alongside TCM and a large number of the TCM practitioners who participated believed that TCM was effective for treating arthritis. The TCM profession represents a substantial component of the healthcare field in Australia, and treating patients with arthritis appears to be an important area of TCM practice, among others. Further detailed research is needed to help ensure effective, safe patient care for those with arthritis who may be utilising TCM alongside a broader range of conventional medicine, allied health, and other CAM treatments.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) disclosure to health care providers: A qualitative insight from Malaysian thalassemia patients

Background and purposeThis study investigated the disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use to health care providers by Malaysian thalassemia patients. MethodsThe semi-structured interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. ResultsThematic analysis identified four themes: 1) reason for CAM disclosure, 2) attempt to disclose CAM, 3) withdrawal from CAM disclosure, and 4) non-disclosure of CAM use. The reason for patients' disclosure of CAM use to healthcare providers is because they wanted to find information about CAM and were afraid of the interaction between the conventional medicine and CAM. Patients also disclosed the use of CAM because they were not satisfied with the conventional medicine that had caused them harm. ConclusionEffective communication between patients and health care providers is important, especially for patients who are undergoing conventional thalassemia treatment, for fear that there is an interaction between conventional treatment and CAM use.

Complementary and alternative medicine for the management of orthopaedic problems in Swiss Warmblood horses.

It appears that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used increasingly often in horses for the assessment and treatment of suspected orthopaedic problems, especially back problems. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of CAM use for the management of orthopaedic problems in a defined population of Swiss Warmblood horses. A total of 239 owners and caretakers of horses from a pre‐defined database were called by a veterinarian to participate in the survey. A standardized questionnaire was designed to determine, for each orthopaedic case, where the localization of the problem was (limb or back) and if conventional medicine or CAM was used for consultation and treatment. When CAM was employed, the CAM discipline and administrator (veterinarian or alternative therapist) was defined. A total of 222 cases in 170 horses with orthopaedic problems were identified. Sixty‐two horses were identified with a back problem, 96 horses with a lameness involving one or more limbs and 12 horses with a combined back problem and lameness. CAM was used commonly in this population (73.9%, 164 of 222) for both diagnostic workup and treatment of suspected orthopaedic problems, but was rarely administered by a veterinarian (12%, 27 of 222). In general, if a back problem was suspected by the owner, CAM was more frequently applied for diagnosis and treatment than in cases where a lameness was suspected; (91.9%, 68 of 74) vs. (64.9%, 96 of 148) (P < 0.001), respectively. Osteopathy was the most frequently applied CAM discipline. CAM was frequently used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in Swiss Warmblood horses with suspected orthopaedic problems. CAM practitioners were consulted predominantly if a back problem was suspected, and the majority of CAM practitioners were not veterinarians.

Integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) into emergency care

Background: Current biotechnology and medical procedures have made remarkable progress, yet the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is rapidly developing and expanding in the healthcare sector. This trend has significantly increased in contemporary civilizations, particularly in developing nations. To effectively address the health-seeking behavior of individuals, it is essential to integrate CAM practitioners into the mainstream healthcare system. Aim of Work – The aim of this initiative is to offer comprehensive training, adequate facilities, and support for referring patients, when necessary, thereby facilitating the integration of CAM into conventional healthcare. Methods: The approach involves the implementation of empirical CAM (EBCAM) treatments, which have demonstrated significant efficacy in treating various illnesses. Additionally, the integration of existing CAM systems is crucial for the exchange of evidence-based information. Results: While there is a positive combined impact from the interaction between conventional medicine and CAM, significant gaps remain in the EBCAM field that require further research. This research is essential to gather data and establish best practices for CAM. Conclusion: Enhancing people's health through the integration of CAM into mainstream healthcare necessitates ongoing research to fill the gaps in knowledge and practice.

Clinical trials in complementary and alternative medicine – the myth of limitations

The paper aims to dispute common arguments put forward by practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in discussions against conducting clinical trials in CAM treatment protocols. It is argued that CAM therapies cannot be evaluated by the same criteria as those applied in conventional medicine due to specificity of CAM. This paper suggests that this line of thought undermines not only the validity of CAM therapies, but, importantly, is delaying understanding their therapeutical value. We also argue that despite apparent differences in approach both conventional medicine and CAM aim to improve human well being therefore CAM should be validated with well established and widely accepted process of balancing of risks and benefits of individual therapies as in conventional medicine clinical trials.

Clinical trials in complementary and alternative medicine – the myth of limitations

The paper aims to dispute common arguments put forward by practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in discussions against conducting clinical trials in CAM treatment protocols. It is argued that CAM therapies cannot be evaluated by the same criteria as those applied in conventional medicine due to specificity of CAM. This paper suggests that this line of thought undermines not only the validity of CAM therapies, but, importantly, is delaying understanding their therapeutical value. We also argue that despite apparent differences in approach both conventional medicine and CAM aim to improve human well being therefore CAM should be validated with well established and widely accepted process of balancing of risks and benefits of individual therapies as in conventional medicine clinical trials.

A Scoping Review on Models of Integrative Medicine: What Is Known from the Existing Literature?

Integrative medicine (IM) has been recognized and introduced into Western healthcare systems over the past two decades. Limited information on IM models is available to guide development of an optimal healthcare service. A scoping review was carried out to evaluate IM models in the extant literature, including the distinctive features of each model, to gain an understanding of the core requirements needed to develop models of IM that best meet the needs of patients. Directed content analysis was used to classify the IM models into systems based on coding schema developed from theoretical models and to identify the key concepts of each system. From 1374 articles identified, 45 studies were included. Models were categorized as theoretical and practical and were subdivided into five main models: coexistence, cooptative, cooperative, collaborative, and patient-centered care. They were then divided into three systems-independent, dependent, and integrative-on the basis of the level of involvement of general practitioners and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners. The theoretical coexistence and cooptative models have distinct roles for different health care professionals, whereas practical models tend to be ad hoc market-driven services, dependent on patient demand. The cooperative and collaborative models were team-based, with formalized interaction between the two medical paradigms of conventional medicine and CAM, with the practical models focusing on facilitating communication, behaviors, and relationships. The patient-centered care model recognized the philosophy of CAM and required collaboration between disciplines based around patient needs. The focus of IM models has transferred from providers to patients with the independent and integrative systems. This may require a philosophical shift for IM. Further research is required to best understand how to practice patient-centered care in IM services.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in US Adults With Moderate Mental Distress

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by race/ethnicity and to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with CAM use among US adults with moderate mental distress (MMD). Methods: We analyzed data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). We used data for 6016 noninstitutionalized US adults with MMD (3492 non-Hispanic whites, 953 non-Hispanic blacks, 1078 Hispanics, 268 Asians, and 225 others consisted of American Indian, Alaska Native, and those reporting multiple races). The 2012 NHIS asks about 36 types of CAM use in the past 12 months. We constructed (1) overall, any CAM use; (2) 5 major types of CAM use; and (3) individual types of CAM use indicators. Using a cross-sectional design with complex survey techniques, we estimated race/ethnicity-specific CAM prevalence, and odds of past year CAM use by race/ethnicity, sociodemographic, and health-related factors. Results: Nearly 40% of adults with MMD used CAM in the past year compared with 32% of those without MMD (P < .001). In adults with MMD, past year CAM use differed by race/ethnicity, ranging from 24.3% (blacks) to 44.7% (Asians) and 46.8% (others) (P < .001). Being younger, female, living in the west, higher education, being employed, more than 4 ambulatory care visits, and functional limitations were associated with higher odds of CAM use (P < .01). Conclusions: Adults with MMD use CAM more frequently than those without MMD. In addition, CAM use was significantly differed by race/ethnicity in adults with MMD. This underscores the need for good patient-provider communication and suggests opportunity for dialogue about integration between conventional providers and CAM practitioners to facilitate optimal mental health care.

Herb-drug interaction: The importance of communicating with primary care physicians.

Herb-drug interaction: The importance of communicating with primary care physicians.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for children with special health care needs: A comparative usage study in Italy

IntroductionComplementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely used by families of children with special health care needs (CSHCN), mainly as an integrative approach with regards to conventional treatments. Nonetheless, studies comparing CAM usage among families of CSHCN with different pediatric diagnoses are sparse. The present study aimed at investigating features of CAM usage among Italian families of CSHCN with different common pediatric diseases. MethodsOne-hundred and twenty-one families were interviewed about access to conventional treatments and CAM usage for the care of their children. Four groups were identified based on childrens’ diagnosis: autistic spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, genetic syndrome, and pediatric tumors. Main areas of investigation were pharmacological treatment, access to conventional rehabilitation programs, typology of CAM used, scopes of CAM usage, maternal perceived efficacy, CAM expenditure per month. ResultsAccess to traditional pharmacological treatment and conventional rehabilitation was unrelated to CAM usage. Mothers of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders were found to use more CAM, with higher economic expenditure and lower perceived efficacy compared to the other groups. ConclusionsThe present findings document different patterns of CAM usage among families of CSHCN with different diagnoses in Italy. Clinical and ethical insights for family-physician relationship are further discussed.

The use of conventional and complementary therapies for insomnia among Hong Kong Chinese: A telephone survey

To examine the prevalence and utilization pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for insomnia in Hong Kong. Respondents were selected from the general population and interviewed by telephone Their sleep was assessed by a Chinese version of the Brief Insomnia Questionnaire (BIQ) and CAM use by a checklist. Prevalence findings were weighted by the BIQ insomnia diagnosis, age, and sex. 402 respondents completed the survey. The population-weighted prevalence of any treatment in the past 12 months was 21.3%, any CAM use at 12.3%, any conventional treatment at 6.5%, and alcohol use at 1.6%; however, 46.6% of the BIQ insomnia cases did not seek treatment. The most commonly used CAM modalities was Chinese herbal medicine (7.9%), followed by acupuncture (1.7%) and Western herbal products (1.7%). Most CAM therapies were used infrequently and without consultation of healthcare professionals. Only BIQ insomnia diagnosis and being female were found predictive of CAM use. Apart from Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, the use of conventional treatments, CAM, and alcohol for trouble sleeping was all less common in Hong Kong. Public education on the consequences of insomnia and various treatment modalities is needed.

Determinants of Women Consulting with a Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioner for Pregnancy-Related Health Conditions

The objective of this study was to explore the determinants that are related to women’s likelihood to consult with a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner during pregnancy. Primary data were collected as a sub-study of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) in 2010. We completed a cross-sectional survey of 2,445 women from the ALSWH “younger” cohort (n = 8,012), who had identified as being pregnant or had recently given birth in 2009. Independent Poisson backwards stepwise regression models were applied to four CAM practitioner outcome categories: acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist, and naturopath. The survey was completed by 1,835 women (79.2%). The factors associated with women’s consultation with a CAM practitioner differed by practitioner groups. A range of demographic factors were related, including employment status, financial status, and level of education. Women’s health insurance coverage, health status, and perceptions toward both conventional maternity care and CAM were also associated with their likelihood of consultations with all practitioner groups, but in diverse ways. Determinants for women’s consultations with a CAM practitioner varied across practitioner groups. Stakeholders and researchers would benefit from giving attention to specific individual modalities when considering CAM use in maternity care.

Integrated treatment for low back pain: A systematic review

Introduction: Integrative medicine (IM) is described as the discipline of combining of conventional (allopathic) medicine and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of health and illness. The term has been increasingly used but the understanding of IM varies throughout the world. The extent of integrated care provision for low back pain (LBP) has been poorly documented, and lacks scientific evidence, with few controlled trials on the efficacy of integrated treatment. Lack of standard definitions and terminology, diversities in different practices and types of practitioner, and diverse policies in IM make it difficult to conduct research. A systematic review was carried out to identify the clinical effectiveness and costeffectiveness; and also to inform the method of conducting systematic reviews in IM (particularly focusing on the differences between Chinese and English literature). Methods: The review was registered (CRD42013003916) and was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A literature search was carried out on 8 English and 4 Chinese databases from inception to December 2012. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of predefined integrated treatments for musculoskeletal related LBP were included. Reporting and methodological quality were assessed by two independent researchers, with consensus by a third reviewer, using Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT), STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) and the Cochrane Back Review guidelines. Relevant clinical characteristics were extracted by two independent reviewers in both languages. Results: Preliminary findings have identified a total of 61 randomized controlled trials were included, among which 24 treatments included acupuncture (17 in Chinese, 7 in English). Of the 24 acupuncture involved studies (n= 5406), studies conducted in China were poorer in reporting and methodology quality. The similarity of scores between reviewers was 83% and 85% for Chinese and English papers respectively. The majority of the papers published in Chinese were conducted in (Western) medical hospitals (9/16); while studies conducted in other countries were multicentre (3/8). The most popular treatment combination in China was acupuncture combined with traction (8/16); while in other countries acupuncture in addition to usual care (5/8) was the most popular combination. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was the most commonly used outcome measure. Discussion: The effectiveness of a package of IM has not previously been adequately or directly compared with either conventional medical treatments or single CAM treatments. One difficulty in conducting this review was the variation in terminology/policy/registration system/education/clinical practices and how integrated care is defined and provided in different countries. Different combinations of IM care packages between different countries will now be extracted, analysed and compared to identify whether there is any evidence for the use of specific combinations of IM provided for LBP.

Serious Decisions

People with chronic health conditions combine conventional medical care with different complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for varying reasons. The data on which we drew to elucidate this derive from a large mixed-methods study utilizing participant observation, in-depth interviews with 69 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD), and interviews with 20 health care providers. Although integrative practices are increasingly common, people make clear choices about and trade-offs between conventional medical care and CAM, often using CAM and prescribed pharmaceuticals in tandem for different conditions and distinct purposes and outcomes. As we illustrate, some people perceived type 2 diabetes and CVD as "too serious" for CAM treatment, but concurrently, many turned to CAM providers in appreciation of the serious attention these providers paid to their health-related concerns.

A survey of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is based on symptoms relieve by conventional drugs, but increasingly complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used. This survey aimed to investigate the current treatments used by FGIDs patients. A total of 25 Italian gastroenterologists interviewed outpatients on gastrointestinal symptoms and treatments (pharmacological, CAM, diet/dietary supplements) used during the last year to relieve FGIDs. Consecutive adults with FGIDs according to Rome III were included. Of the 199 patients, 81% used conventional drugs, 64.3% diet/dietary supplements, and 48.7% CAM. Conventional drugs, diet/dietary supplements, or CAM as exclusive treatment were used by 24.6, 6, and 2.5% of patients, respectively. Two-thirds used more than one treatment: 34.7% conventional drugs, CAM, and diet/dietary supplements, 17.1% conventional drugs and diet/dietary supplements, 10.1% diet and CAM, and 5% conventional drugs and CAM. Benefits and adverse effects were similar for conventional drugs and nonpharmacological treatments. Males (OR 2.4) without lower GI symptoms (OR 5.4) used more frequently exclusive pharmacological treatment of FGIDs. Conventional drugs are the preferred treatment for FGID. CAM and dietary modifications are more likely used as an adjunct to rather than instead of conventional drugs. Adverse effects occurred in all treatments.