Use Of Complementary Alternative Medicine Research Articles

Utilization of Complementary Medicine among Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been widely used globally, but limited data are available on the use of CAM in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). The present study aimed to evaluate CAM use in CVD patients. The present cross-sectional study was performed in Shiraz, Iran, during the summer of 2021. Cardiovascular patients aged ≥ 18 years were included in the study. Demographic information on left ventricular ejection fraction and satisfaction with CAM utilization was collected using validated questionnaires. A total of 304 patients (194 males and 110 females) were recruited for this study. The frequency of patients identified as CAM users was 56.9% (n = 173). Patients with implanted pacemakers were less likely to use CAM than others (OR = 0.50, p = 0.031). Meanwhile, the likelihood of CAM utilization was approximately 2 and 4 times higher in the patients categorized in class I of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification compared to those in the second and third classes, respectively. Most CAM users used herbs, dietary supplements, and praying to prevent diseases, while Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) remedies and acupuncture were more commonly used to treat acute and chronic illnesses, respectively. Praying for health, herbal therapy, and dietary supplementation were the most popular CAM types utilized by Iranian CVD patients. However, future investigations seem to be required to determine the exact physiological impacts, probable adverse effects, and long-term benefits of CAM therapies in this population.

The roles of health literacy in parents’ honey use and the use of complementary alternative medicine in a Turkish population

BackgroundAs a biologically based therapy, honey is used by parents in many parts of the world as a home remedy for their children. While information exists regarding the traditional use of honey for health issues in children, data regarding its relationship with health literacy is lacking. The aims of this study were to determine the use of honey to address children’s health issues among parents of children aged 0–72 months and to explore the relationship between the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and health literacy.MethodsThe data for this descriptive, cross-sectional study were collected between October and November 2022 via an online survey of 907 parents of children aged 0–72 months. A sociodemographic data collection form, the Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ), and the Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32) were used to collect the data. A t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe majority (86.5%) of the parents used honey for their children’s health problems. Among the parents, 83.1% utilized honey as a remedy for alleviating cough symptoms, 10.4% employed it as a treatment for diarrhea, and 14% administered it for the management of oral mucositis. The mean THLS-32 and HCAMQ scores of the parents were 29.39 and 21.31, respectively, and there was a moderate correlation between the parents’ THLS-32 and HCAMQ mean scores (r = 0.662, p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study revealed that a significant proportion of parents who used honey to alleviate their children’s health issues displayed positive attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) while concurrently exhibiting insufficient or limited health literacy levels. Therefore, it is advisable to enhance health literacy regarding the proper and safe utilization of honey, which functions as a biologically based CAM therapy.

GAMBARAN PENGGUNAAN COMPLEMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) PADA PASIEN HIPERTENSI DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS BLAHBATUH II

Hypertension is an increase in a person's systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg. The importance of hypertension sufferers to control blood pressure to prevent cardiovascular risk, one of which is the non-pharmacological alternative of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM). This study aims to describe the use of CAM in hypertensive patients in the working area of ​​the Blahbatuh II Health Center. This research method is a non-experimental quantitative descriptive study with a cross-sectional method. The results of this study found that the most use of CAM for the treatment of hypertension in the working area of ​​the Blahbatuh II Health Center were women (59.6%), aged 56-65 years (51.4%), high school education (42.2%), most of them not working/household (33.9%), income ≤ Rp. 2,627,000 (39.4%), suffer from hypertension for 1-5 years (76.1%), have no family history of hypertension (56.9%), hypertension medication, namely amlodipine (52.3%), drinking schedule every day (45.9%). Respondents used CAM since diagnosis (66.1%), CAM was combined with conventional drugs (62.5%) and was recommended by the family (45.8%), the reason that using CAM was very trusting CAM (47.2%), and the reasons for not using CAM were the reasons doctors did not recommend (54.1%), felt a positive effect (94.4%) and were satisfied (94.4%) using CAM. The most common types of CAM were biological therapy in the form of herbs (56.9%), the frequency of using CAM once a day (45.8%), the types of plants used were celery and starfruit (19.5%), plant parts namely leaves (41.5%), the method of processing is boiled first (61%), with a dose of one glass (48.8%) and the use of herbal medicine is taken orally (80.5%). The conclusion of this study was that the sociodemographic characteristics of the use of CAM were mostly aged 56-65 years (51.4%), female sex (59.6%), last education SMK/SMA (42.2%), and the use of CAM was mostly used since suffering from hypertension as many (66.1%) of respondents with the most types of CAM namely biological therapy in the form of herbs (56.9%).

Political orientation predicts the use of conventional and complementary/alternative medicine: A survey study of 19 European countries

BackgroundPeople align their beliefs and behaviors, including those related to health, increasingly along politically ideological lines. ObjectiveWe investigated whether individual political orientation (PO) predicts the use of conventional (CM) and complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) across Europe. MethodsWe used cross-sectional samples representative of persons aged 15 and over from 19 European countries (ESS 2015; round 7; N = 35,572). We assessed PO based on participants’ vote choice in the most recent national election, using expert ratings of party positioning along five political-ideological dimensions: left-right general; left-right economic; Green/alternative/libertarian vs. Traditional/authoritarian/nationalist; anti-elite; and anti-corruption. Use of CM was defined as having consulted a general practitioner or specialist, and use of CAM as having used acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, herbal treatment, hypnotherapy, or spiritual healing. ResultsParticipants with an anti-corruption PO were less likely to use CM and more likely to use CAM than other Europeans. Participants with a Green/alternative/libertarian PO were more likely to use CAM than others. Poorer health moderated the association between anti-corruption PO and CM, such that people in poor health tended to use CM regardless of their political leanings, but health status did not moderate the association between PO and CAM use. ConclusionsThe results show that political and socio-cultural views are associated with how the European lay public engages with healthcare and complementary/alternative services, but the relevant boundary lines do not lie along the left-right dimension. People who preferred parties favoring expanded freedoms were more likely to use complementary/alternative services, but likely for other reasons than to seek cures for diseases in a traditional biomedical sense. Concerns about corruption among the lay public may be more relevant for conventional healthcare than has been recognized.

Sámi traditional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine – a descriptive study of use within the Sámi population of Sweden

ABSTRACT Traditional medicine has been practised for millennia in the Sámi population, based on a Sámi worldview and cosmology, which includes natural remedies, prayers, drums and yoik singing. During the Christianisation of the Sámi during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, these practices were condemned. In recent years, however, a revival of Sámi culture has occurred and so has the practice of Sámi traditional medicine (STM) and the use of complementary alternative medicine (CAM). The aim of this study is to map the prevalence and use of STM and CAM among Sámi in Sweden today. The study population consisted of 3641 Sámi from the whole of Sweden, who had participated in the population-based cross-sectional survey Sámi Health on Equal Terms (SámiHET) in 2021. Our results show that women are more prone to use both STM and CAM than men and that younger persons are more likely to use STM and CAM than elderly persons. STM is more often used in the northern parts of Sápmi compared to the southern parts as well as a lower use of CAM in the north. This might be due to the stronger Sámi identity and easier access to traditional Sámi healers/helpers in the north as well as limited access to CAM services

Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Cam) Use Among Hypertensive Patients in Tamale, Ghana

When it comes to chronic conditions like hypertension, patient health outcomes are tightly linked to adherence to orthodox care. And Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) use may harm patient healthcare outcomes concerning poor antihypertensive medications adherence. The purpose of the study was to assess the use of CAM among hypertensive patients of TTH for management of hypertension. An analytic cross-sectional design was adopted for this study, using the method of survey for quantitative data. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. The bivariate analysis was done using Chi-square to determine factors associated with CAM use. And predictors of CAM use were identified using the multiple logistics regression model. A survey was done for 131 participants, the average age of the hypertensive study participants was 56.9 ±15.5 years, and more than half (58.9%) of the respondents were females. The prevalence of CAM use was 24.6%. Factors with significant association with CAM use among the study participants were; Respondents' level of education, age, duration of hypertension illness, and comorbidity condition predicted CAM use. In conclusion, CAM use was high and, this may lead to anti-hypertensive medication non-compliance.

USAGE OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AMONG PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS AT DIABETIC CLINIC IN KIRKUK CITY / IRAQ

Constrained investigation on the utilization of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in essential - care settings. This investigation looks to comprehend the commonness, types, consumptions, dispositions, convictions, and impression of CAM use among patients with DM visiting outpatient diabetic facility. use of CAM has increment lately. We assessed the augmentation CAM utilization by patients with diabetes mellitus; in spite of constrained proof bases. The point of this study was to decide the CAM use among individuals with analyzed diabetes mellitus at diabetic facility at Azadi Teaching Hospital. Prospective descriptive cross sectional study; up close and personal meeting poll and self-directed unknown study techniques to get results from 417 patients who were going to Azadi teaching hospital at Kirkuk city/Iraq. The information was analyzed by usage cross-tabulation analysis (X2 test). P value of 0.05 or less is medically significant. Therefor; about Of 417 members were overviewed, around two third of them utilized some type of CAM treatments were the most widely recognized modalities. The consequences of a strategic relapse examination demonstrated that the parallel use design was most clear in the gatherings matured more than 40. Likewise, numerous sociodemographic and wellbeing related qualities are identified with the examples of the parallel utilization of CAM.At end, utilization of CAM especially biologically base CAM treatments is normal and is bound to be utilized by those with diabetes mellitus. it is as yet lacking the proof to reach complete inference about the adequacy of individual herbs and enhancements for diabetes; be that as it may, they are seem, by all accounts, to be commonly sheltered. The accessible information recommend that few enhancements might be warrant further examination.

PENGETAHUAN, SIKAP DAN PRAKTIK MASYARAKAT KECAMATAN KINTAMANI TERHADAP PENGGUNAAN OBAT TRADISIONAL

Background: Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is very popular among people. Nevertheless, an inappropriate combination of CAM  and conventional medicine can lead to adverse drug reactions (ADR). This is very limited known by the public. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of using CAM in Kintamani District. Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from June to Agustus 2021. The target population in this study was 102 people in Kintamani District who were more than or equal to 18 years old and using CAM maximum of a year before. Descriptive data were processed using SPSS (21.0) to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of CAM. Pearson correlation test was conducted to determine the relationship between demographic characteristics on knowledge and attitudes to use CAM. Results: The level of knowledge Kintamani District regarding the use of CAM is sufficient as many as 71 (69.61%) people. In addition, 95 (93%) people have a positive attitude about using CAM. In practice, 44 (42.3%) people use herbs in the category of CAM that is often used. Information about CAM they got from the family was 37 (29.6%) and was used to treat hypertension as many as 35 (32.8%) respondents. Conclusion: People in Kintamani District, Bangli have sufficient knowledge and a positive attitude towards the use of CAM. In addition, most people use traditional medicine to treat hypertension&#x0D;  

Knowledge, attitude and dispensing practice of the pharmacists related to complementary alternative medicines in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional descriptive study

BackgroundThe use of complementary alternative medicines (CAMs) has risen globally in recent times. Such medications are exclusively and readily available in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia through community pharmacies and other retail outlets, exposing the consumers to various risks like harmful drug interactions. These situations take pharmacists to a responsible position where they should provide evidence-based information to help consumers make safe consumption. The consumption of CAMs can be ensured safe if pharmacists have appropriate knowledge and training about their use, dosing, side effects, etc. This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the pharmacist's factual knowledge, perception and dispensing practice related to various aspects of CAMs based on gender and experience.MethodsThe study followed a structured self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey design. Out of 200, with a response rate of 89.5%, 179 pharmacists (115 males; 64 females) from the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia participated in this study. The knowledge scores of male and female pharmacists were compared using an unpaired t-test. The correlation between pharmacists’ knowledge and their work experience was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient test, keeping the significance value at p < 0.05.ResultsAlmost all the respondents (99%) reported that they had never attended any lecture or course related to CAMs. Results show low knowledge scores, indicating poor respondents' knowledge concerning the use of CAMs. No significant difference was observed in knowledge scores based on gender, and no significant correlation between pharmacists' knowledge scores and their work experiences.ConclusionTherefore, the study concluded that both male and female pharmacists possess equal knowledge concerning the use of CAMs, and their work experience doesn’t differentiate in their knowledge. Various factors like lack of time, etc., prevented respondents from interacting with patients. Regular organization of mandatory continuing education programs about the safe use of CAMs that can improve their knowledge is recommended. In addition, establishing a pharmacy connection network system can enhance patient monitoring and CAMs vigilance. This study lays a foundation for further work to assess pharmacists’ knowledge and practice patterns in Saudi Arabia.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Menopause hormone therapy and complementary alternative medicine, quality of life, and racial/ethnic differences: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

We hypothesized that, among midlife women with vasomotor and/or genitourinary symptoms of menopause, (1) hormone therapy (HT) compared with complementary alternative medicine (CAM) will be associated with higher quality of life (QoL), and (2) race/ethnicity would modify associations of HT and CAM with QoL. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of QoL in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation participants using HT, CAM, or both. Women ( n = 2,514) completed a CAM use questionnaire and QoL assessments at baseline and every 1 to 2 years from 2002 to 2013. Associations between QoL and treatment, adjusted for covariates, and race/ethnicity-by-treatment interactions were analyzed using linear and mixed effects regression models. During 7.8 (SD, 2.9) years of follow-up, 732 women (29%) reported HT of 2.4 (SD, 1.7) years, and 798 women (32%) reported CAM use of 2.1 (SD, 1.4) years. Overall, neither HT nor CAM was associated with QoL. However, the treatment-by-race/ethnicity interaction was significant for self-reported QoL ( P = 0.034 at baseline, P = 0.044 longitudinal). Among White women, self-reported QoL was higher in HT-only users than in those who used neither ( P = 0.030; d = 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.21). In contrast, Black women using HT only had lower self-reported QoL compared with Black women using neither ( P = 0.027; d = -0.21; 95% confidence interval, -0.40 to -0.02). Comparisons between treatment type within each racial/ethnic group yielded significant differences in self-reported QoL. Clinicians should be aware of racial/ethnic differences in treatment preferences when counseling patients on treatment options for menopausal symptoms to provide optimal care. http://links.lww.com/MENO/B33 .

Investigation of the relationship between the use of complementary alternative medicine and illness perception and illness cognition in patients with diabetic foot ulcer

Objective: to examine the relationship between illness perception, illness cognition, and other sociodemographic characteristics of individuals with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and their complementary alternative therapies (CAM) use within the framework of self-regulation model (SRM). Material and methodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with 220 individuals with DFU in the Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases outpatient clinic of two training and research hospitals between December 5, 2020, and June 5, 2021. Research data were collected by using the Patient Information Form, Brief Illness Perception Scale (BIPS), and Illness Cognition Questionnaire (ICQ). Descriptive statistical methods and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to were used in the evaluation of the data. The determinants of the CAM use status of the patients were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. ResultsIt was determined that 136 (61.81%) patients who used CAM mostly preferred herbal methods. Patients' mean scores were 42.23 ± 5.66 on the total BIPS, 39.65 ± 16.01 on the total ICQ. Increasing age, female gender, increased disease perception (BIPS) and disease cognition (ICQ) increased the use of CAM (Nagelkerke R2:0.552; Model: x2 = 168.579 p = 0.00) ConclusionsIt was determined that our patients frequently preferred CAM. Predictors of CAM use were identified as female gender, advanced age, illness perception, and illness cognition. Accordingly, for effective management of DFU, besides the comprehensive evaluation of individuals with DFU and the provision of wound care by health care professionals, illness perceptions, illness cognition, and CAM use should be considered carefully.

Profiling the Use of Complementary Alternative Medicines among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Results from a Single Center Survey

Background. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are used by patients with chronic disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a desire to manage their disease. Methods. Patients visiting an IBD outpatient clinic and infusion unit in a tertiary referral center were surveyed through an anonymized Dutch version of the international questionnaire to measure the use of CAMs. Results. Of the 467 IBD patients who responded to the survey, 41.8% ( n = 195 ) reported the use of CAMs. Gender ( p = 0.03 , higher in females), educational qualification ( p = 0.02 , higher in more educated patients), and number of prior IBD medical treatments ( p = 0.05 , higher in patients having received more than one therapy) were significantly associated with CAM usage. Overall, there was no significant difference in CAM-usage between UC (45.3%) and CD (38.2%) patients. Over two-thirds of patients reported using CAMs to alleviate IBD-related symptoms. The most prevalent reason for CAM-usage was to minimize stress and symptoms. The top five nonsupplemental CAMs used by IBD patients included probiotics, curcumin, yoghurt, homeopathy, and yoga. Among CAMs with a minimum of 25 users, yoga (93.5%), cannabis (87.5%), and mindfulness (84.6%) had high self-reported efficacy indices. Fifty-six percent of the patients who affirmed the economic worthiness of CAMs expressed their interest to consult with their gastroenterologist about CAM-conventional therapy interactions. Conclusion. CAM usage in IBD patients is highly prevalent, and consultation of the patients with the gastroenterologist about the use of CAMs is warranted. Since CAMs can interact with conventional therapies, a debate could help optimizing CAM use, eventually resulting in better disease management.

Concomitant complementary and alternative medicine utilization amongst hypertensive patients on conventional therapy

There has been documented evidence of the fast growing rate of the knowledge and use of Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM) Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in developed and developing countries and it’s increasingly popularity amongst patients as well as healthcare providers.1  The utilization of CAM products has been attributable to several factors which include fear or resentment of conventional medicine, the perceived negative side effects, over prescribing and failure of conventional medicine to meet the emotional needs of the patients all constituting the “push effects” on the one side. This study better blood pressure control among participants on conventional treatment only compared to those on conventional and CAM. In a resource poor nation as Nigeria where over 90% of health financing is out of pocket, additional financial cost with no additional benefit amounts to waste, not to mention the problem of adverse reactions that concomitant use may cause.

The impact of health literacy levels on women’s fear of contracting Covid-19 and their attitudes toward holistic complementary and alternative medicine: Mediation analysis results

Researchers aim to examine mediating variable role of health literacy in the relationship between fear of contracting Covid-19 in women and use of holistic complementary alternative medicine. The study was conducted as descriptive cross-sectional. The researchers collected study data by conducting an online questionnaire from 285 women between April 01 and June 30, 2021. In our study, a significant relationship was found between education level and health literacy, having a chronic illness, not being able to find a permanent job and fear of Covid-19 (p < 0.05). Positive correlation exists between fear of contracting Covid-19 and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practice (correlation between HCAM Practice β=.21). When health literacy variable is included, the level of relationship decreases (β=.18). The researchers determined that as the level of health literacy increased, the women resorted to HCAM practices less despite their fear of contracting Covid-19.

Mobile Medical Clinics in the United States Post-Affordable Care Act: An Integrative Review.

Despite changes brought about by the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of individuals are still unable to access health care in the United States. Mobile medical clinics have been an invisible force of care delivery for vulnerable and marginalized populations for decades; however, little is known about their impact post-ACA. Guided by the Anderson Behavioral Model, the purpose of this article was to review and critique the state of the current literature about mobile medical clinics in the United States since 2010. Following Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review methodology, the search was conducted in 6 databases and delivered 1934 results; 341 articles were removed as duplicates. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, 2 independent reviewers screened and adjudicated the remaining titles, abstracts, and full-texts, yielding 12 articles in the final review. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. Studies revealed variation in quality, study design, and location; and diversity of chronic diseases and populations addressed (eg, children with asthma, complementary alternative medicine use with children, adults with diabetes and hypertension, patients with chronic disease with an emphasis on the patient experience, utilization patterns in migrant farmers). Mobile medical clinics provide care for the prevention, treatment, and management of chronic illness and their wide geographic spread confirms their broad use across the United States. They provide a return on investment through emergency room avoidance, decreasing hospital length of stay, and improving chronic disease management.

Impact of Open Dialogue about Complementary Alternative Medicine-A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial.

Simple SummaryA large number of patients with cancer use complementary alternative medicine (CAM), such as diet supplements, massage and acupuncture, as an adjunct to conventional cancer treatment and care. Some types of CAM reduce nausea and vomiting, pain, fear, fatigue and depression, but CAM may also cause new symptoms and side effects. Therefore, it is crucial that cancer patients receive professional guidance on how to use CAM in a safe and healthy manner. Open dialogue about CAM between patients and health professionals is, however, not an integrated part of cancer treatment and care. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess how open dialogue, including guidance about CAM, affected patients’ safety and health when it was an integrated part of the cancer treatment and care. We found that open dialogue about CAM does not compromise patient safety and that it may improve patients’ quality of life, self-care and survival.Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) may reduce the symptom burden of side effects to antineoplastic treatment but also cause new side effects and non-adherence to conventional treatment. The aim of this RCT was to investigate the impact of open dialogue about complementary alternative medicine (OD-CAM) on cancer patients’ safety, health and quality of life (QoL). Patients undergoing antineoplastic treatment were randomly assigned to standard care (SC) plus OD-CAM or SC alone. The primary endpoint was frequency of grade 3–4 adverse events (AE) eight weeks after enrollment. Secondary endpoints were frequency of grade 1–4 AE, QoL, psychological distress, perceived information, attitude towards and use of CAM 12 and 24 weeks after enrollment. Survival was analyzed post hoc. Fifty-seven patients were randomized to the OD-CAM group and fifty-five to the SC group. No significant difference in frequency of grade 3–4 AEs was shown. The same applied to grade 1–4 AEs and QoL, psychological distress and perceived information. A tendency towards better QoL, improved survival and a lower level of anxiety was found in the OD-CAM group. OD-CAM is not superior to SC in reducing the frequency of AEs in patients undergoing antineoplastic treatment. OD-CAM does not compromise patient safety; it may reduce psychological stress and improve QoL and overall survival.

P475 Profiling the use of Complementary Alternative Medicines among IBD patients

Abstract Background Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gut, characterized by multiple symptoms of which some cannot be successfully managed by existing conventional therapies. The use of complementary alternative medicines (CAMs) and CAM services among patients with chronic disorders including IBD has increased globally over the past several years (Rawsthorne Gut 2012; Weizman APT 2012). The main aims of this study were (a) to profile the use of CAMs and CAM services in a cohort of IBD patients being treated at a Belgian IBD referral center and (b) to identify the clinical and demographic factors associated with the use of CAMs. Methods An anonymized and customized Dutch version of the international questionnaire to measure the use of complementary and alternative medicine (I-CAM-Q – Quandt J Altern Complement Med 2009) was provided over an 8-week period spanning September and October 2021) to all IBD patients visiting the IBD outpatient clinic and infusion unit. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to identify the relationships between clinical and demographic variables (age, gender, educational status) and CAM usage. Results From among the 410 IBD (144 UC, 253 CD) patients who responded to the survey, 173 (42.2%) were using CAMs or had used CAMs. A vast majority (79.8%) of the CAM using IBD patients reported the use of nature-based therapies (aloe vera, green tea, curcumin, cannabis, vitamin/mineral supplements and probiotics), a fifth of which was accounted for by Cannabis and its derivatives. This was followed by mind-body therapies (42.1%) (mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation). Two-thirds of patients (66.7%) mentioned to use CAMs for IBD-related symptoms. 125/173 of the CAM using IBD patients attributed the use of CAMs to their know-how about the potential of CAMs in ameliorating symptoms (32%), low efficacy or presence of adverse effects of conventional therapies (29.6%), minimize disease burden (28.8%) and avoiding surgery (7.2%). A vast majority (93.9%) of the CAM using IBD patients who responded to the query stated that consultation with their gastroenterologist would be beneficial to ascertain possible interference with their ongoing conventional therapy. Conclusion A significant proportion of IBD patients use CAMs to manage the complicated and often systemic symptoms of IBD. The most frequently used CAMs included nature-based therapies such followed by mind-body medicine. Given that CAMs are not officially regulated as medicinal therapies, their impact on conventional therapies is not entirely clear and should be further studied. Multi-center surveys profiling the use of CAMs in IBD patients as well as other chronic disorders are warranted.

The use of complementary alternative medicines in advanced cancer patients followed at home.

ObjectivesTo assess the use of complementary alternative medicines (CAM) in advanced cancer patients followed at home.MethodsA consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients admitted to a home palliative care program was invited to participate in the study in a period of two months. Demographic characteristics, religious belief, education level, diagnosis, and socio-economic condition were recorded. Patients were asked about the use of CAM, considered to be a health-related treatment practiced outside the established health services. Information about CAM indications and those who prescribed or suggested CAM were also collected.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty-three advanced cancer patients followed at home were surveyed. Twelve patients (4.2%) were receiving CAM. The indication and type of CAM were variable, as well as the costs. Given the low number of patients taking CAM, no further analysis was performed.ConclusionA limited number of advanced cancer patients followed at home were using CAM. Further multicenter studies with a larger sample should be performed to provide information about such therapies, also including eventual benefits.

Quality of life in dental hygienists using complementary alternative medicine approaches for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

The use of conventional treatment for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) reduces the prevalence of pain, but with popularity of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for treatment, it is important to explore their use and impact on dental hygienists (DHs) quality of life (QoL). A cross-sectional survey research design was used with a non-probability sample of dental hygienists (n=85) with WRMSDs who used CAM therapies. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess quality of life and compared with CAM use and frequency. Analysis included descriptive, t-tests, correlation and chi-square tests of independence. The most commonly used CAM types were massage (81%) and chiropractic manipulation (67%) with 66% of respondents using two or more CAM therapies. Participants using five or less different CAMs (n=46), compared with those using more than five CAM types (n=35, M=2.3, SD=1.5), t (79)=2.7, p=0.01, had a higher average number of years before they noticed their WRMSD (M=3.3, SD=1.9). Participants reporting use of a higher number of CAM types also had lower QoL physical health domain scores (rho=-0.2, p=0.03). Dental hygienists used a variety of CAM approaches to manage WRMSDs and had a lower QoL across all domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment) than the normative mean. More research is needed to explore the use of CAM approaches, such as yoga, for prevention and management of WRMSDs to improve QoL.

Use of Complementary Alternative Medicine and Supplementation for Skin Disease.

Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is a rapidly emerging field with prevalent use reported among dermatologic patients. However, the effectiveness and safety among different treatments notably varies. A review of the current literature regarding CAM for the treatment of 3 common conditions-atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, and alopecia areata (AA)-is reported to help familiarize dermatologists with the most up-to-date information on this topic.