The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients Referring to Shiraz Rheumatology Clinics in 2013 - 2014

Abstract

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased in recent years, particularly in the treatment of chronic rheumatologic diseases. This increase might be largely due to the psychosomatic problems associated with the diseases, as well as the undesirable efficacy of conventional treatments. Increasing physicians’ knowledge about CAM, its popularity, the reasons patients turn to CAM and its beneficial effects may improve disease management plans. Objectives: This study evaluated CAM’s popularity and the reasons patients turn to CAM as an alternative, or even the primary, treatment for their diseases among patients referring to rheumatology centers of Shiraz Hafez hospital, between March 2013 and February 2014. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 randomly selected patients, with different diseases, were questioned about demographic data, disease duration, the type of CAM used, reasons, visit intervals, and the person who was advising them in the use of CAM. Results: Among the patients, 87% had used at least one form of CAM. Dietary supplements were the most frequently mentioned category (40%). The most frequent reason for turning to CAM was inadequate response (63%) of conventional therapy. CAM was mostly introduced to the patients in the study group by non-experts (58%). Conclusions: This study revealed the noticeable popularity of CAM in patients suffering from chronic rheumatologic diseases, mostly due to their dissatisfaction with conventional treatments.