Dataset Information

The use of complementary and alternative medicine after the completion of hospital treatment for colorectal cancer: findings from a questionnaire study in Denmark.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for colorectal cancer, despite the high incidence of colorectal cancer and the frequency of CAM use for cancer-related symptoms. This is the first Danish study to examine the use of CAM by individuals who completed hospital treatment for colorectal cancer.

Methods

In 2011-12, a pragmatic trial on energy healing as rehabilitation after colorectal cancer was conducted in Denmark with participants who had completed cancer-related hospital treatment within the past 18 months prior to study inclusion. As part of the trial, participants (n = 247) completed a questionnaire on the use, motivations, pathways and perceived benefits of CAM. Socio-demographic information was obtained via the Danish National Patient Registry and self-report. Descriptive statistics were generated, using SPSS, version 18, and logistic regression analysis was carried out.

Results

Of 247 individuals, 49.4% used some form of CAM in the past month. Nearly half of the CAM users (49.2%) used natural medicines and/or dietary supplements only; 32% consulted an alternative therapist; 18.9% used both. Those who consulted alternative therapists were most commonly women (OR: 3.36; p = .002; CI: 1.54-7.33) with high educational levels (OR: 2.77; p = 0.010; CI: 1.28-6.01); more women than men used natural medicines and/or dietary supplements (OR: 1.83; p = .047; CI: 1.01-3.30) independent of educational levels. A majority commenced CAM on their own initiative; CAM was predominantly used to achieve better physical wellbeing. Beneficial effects were reported particularly in relation to physical health; few harmful effects were reported. Of those using CAM, 51.5% did not disclose its use to their physician; 8.5% of participants reported to have been asked by their physician about CAM use.

Conclusion

The use of CAM following completion of hospital treatment for colorectal cancer seems widespread in Denmark. The identified extensive CAM use suggests a need for more reliable and diverse information about CAM for both patients and biomedical providers, and improved communication about its use in the clinical context.

SUBMITTER: Nissen N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4197266 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The use of complementary and alternative medicine after the completion of hospital treatment for colorectal cancer: findings from a questionnaire study in Denmark.

Nissen Nina N Lunde Anita A Pedersen Christina Gundgaard CG Johannessen Helle H

BMC complementary and alternative medicine 20141010

<h4>Background</h4>Little is known about the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for colorectal cancer, despite the high incidence of colorectal cancer and the frequency of CAM use for cancer-related symptoms. This is the first Danish study to examine the use of CAM by individuals who completed hospital treatment for colorectal cancer.<h4>Methods</h4>In 2011-12, a pragmatic trial on energy healing as rehabilitation after colorectal cancer was conducted in Denmark with participant ...[more]

PMID: 25304122

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Project description:BackgroundThere is growing interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) throughout the world, however previous research done in Japan has focused primarily on CAM use in major cities. The purpose of this study was to develop and distribute a Japanese version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) to assess the use of CAM among people who visit rural Japanese family medicine clinics.MethodsUsing a Japanese version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q), a cross-sectional survey was conducted in three rural family medicine clinics. All patients and those accompanying patients who met inclusion criteria were eligible to participate. Data were entered into SPSS Statistics and analyzed for use by age, gender, and location.ResultsOf the 519 respondents who participated in the project, 415 participants reported CAM use in the past 12 months (80.0%). When prayer is excluded, the prevalence of CAM use drops to 77.3% in the past year, or 403 respondents. The most common forms of CAM used by respondents were pain relief pads (n = 170, 32.8%), herbal medicines/supplements (n = 167, 32.2%), and massage by self or family (n = 166, 32.0%). Female respondents, individuals with higher levels of education, and those with poorer overall health status were more likely to use CAM than respondents without these characteristics. Only 22.8% of CAM therapies used were reported to physicians by survey participants.ConclusionsThese data indicate that CAM use in rural Japan is common. The results are consistent with previous studies that show that Japanese individuals are more interested in forms of CAM such as pain relief pads and massage, than in mind-body forms of CAM like relaxation and meditation. Due to the high utilization of certain CAM practices, and given that most CAM users do not disclose their CAM use to their doctors, we conclude that physicians in rural Japan would benefit by asking about CAM use during patient interviews, and by familiarizing themselves with the potential benefits and risks of commonly used CAM modalities.

Project description:BackgroundThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is increasing worldwide. It can affect optimum glycemic management. This study was to determine the rate and influencing factors of CAM use among diabetes patients as well as their effect on glycemic control.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among T2DM patients attending the outpatient department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. It is a tertiary hospital in the northern part of Bangladesh. A face-to-face interview with a pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Chi-square (χ2) test and multivariate logistic regression model were used in this study for data analysis.ResultsOut of 244 T2DM patients, 86 (35.2%) used CAM. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that lower family income group (AOR = 8.7, 95% CI: 2.15-35.22, p-value 0.002), having no institutional education (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.17-9.87, p-value 0.025) and having diabetes for more than five years (AOR = 2.821, 95% CI: 1.34-5.94, p-value 0.006) were the most influential predictors of CAM use. The most commonly used CAMs were herbal products (67.4%) and homeopathic medicine (37.2%). Most of the CAM users (72%) were influenced by friends, neighbors, and family members. The most common reasons behind CAM use were reported to be the belief that CAM helped control diabetes better (44.2%) and easy availability and lower cost (27.9%). More than half of the users reported the efficacy of CAM as 'nothing significant', while others reported as somewhat good. 14% of CAM users experienced side-effects, especially gastrointestinal upset. It was observed that using CAM was associated with poor glycemic control (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.14-4.44, p-value 0.018).ConclusionOur study demonstrated that some modifiable factors are associated with the use of CAM, and it cannot maintain good glycemic control. So, patients should be made aware of the ineffectiveness and bad effects of CAM by enhancing educational and poverty-alleviating programs.

Dataset Information

The use of complementary and alternative medicine after the completion of hospital treatment for colorectal cancer: findings from a questionnaire study in Denmark.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

The use of complementary and alternative medicine after the completion of hospital treatment for colorectal cancer: findings from a questionnaire study in Denmark.

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