Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment

Abstract: Objective: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has grown considerably, although there is little research on the topic in Spain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary medicine use in adult cancer patients at the same time as they were receiving...

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Main Authors: Regina Juanbeltz Zurbano, Mª Dolores Pérez-Fernández, Bianka Tirapu Nicolás, Ruth Vera García, Susana De la Cruz Sánchez, María Teresa Sarobe Carricas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2017-09-01
Series:Farmacia Hospitalaria
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.aulamedica.es/fh/pdf/10805.pdf
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author Regina Juanbeltz Zurbano
Mª Dolores Pérez-Fernández
Bianka Tirapu Nicolás
Ruth Vera García
Susana De la Cruz Sánchez
María Teresa Sarobe Carricas
author_facet Regina Juanbeltz Zurbano
Mª Dolores Pérez-Fernández
Bianka Tirapu Nicolás
Ruth Vera García
Susana De la Cruz Sánchez
María Teresa Sarobe Carricas
author_sort Regina Juanbeltz Zurbano
collection DOAJ
description Abstract: Objective: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has grown considerably, although there is little research on the topic in Spain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary medicine use in adult cancer patients at the same time as they were receiving conventional treatment in a Spanish referral cancer centre. Method: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ambulatory Treatment Unit during 2 consecutive weeks in March 2015. Adult patients who were receiving intravenous chemotherapy were included. Study variables were obtained from a questionnaire and medical records. Results: 316 patients were included. 32.3% of the patients reported complementary medicine use during this period and 89% were ingesting products by mouth, herbs and natural products being the most commonly used. 81% of patients started to use complementary medicine after diagnosis, and family/friends were the main source of information. 65% of the patients reported improvements, especially in their physical and psychological well-being. Significant predictors of CAM use were female gender (P=0.028), younger age (P<0.001), and secondary education (P=0.009). Conclusions: A large proportion of cancer patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy also use complementary medicine, which they mainly take by mouth. Due to the risk of chemotherapy-CAM interactions, it is important for health-professionals to keep abreast of research on this issue, in order to provide advice on its potential benefit and risks
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publishDate 2017-09-01
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spelling doaj-art-bfaaffa5567d4a93a371c264ae2efed32024-12-02T06:55:52ZengElsevierFarmacia Hospitalaria1130-63432171-86952017-09-0141558960010.7399/fh.10805Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatmentRegina Juanbeltz Zurbano0Mª Dolores Pérez-Fernández1Bianka Tirapu Nicolás2Ruth Vera García3Susana De la Cruz Sánchez4María Teresa Sarobe Carricas5Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra- IdiSNAServicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra.Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital García Orcoyeninstituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra- IdiSNA. Servicio de Oncología Médica, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra.Servicio de Oncología Médica, Complejo Hospitalario de NavarraServicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. nstituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra- IdiSNAAbstract: Objective: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has grown considerably, although there is little research on the topic in Spain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary medicine use in adult cancer patients at the same time as they were receiving conventional treatment in a Spanish referral cancer centre. Method: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ambulatory Treatment Unit during 2 consecutive weeks in March 2015. Adult patients who were receiving intravenous chemotherapy were included. Study variables were obtained from a questionnaire and medical records. Results: 316 patients were included. 32.3% of the patients reported complementary medicine use during this period and 89% were ingesting products by mouth, herbs and natural products being the most commonly used. 81% of patients started to use complementary medicine after diagnosis, and family/friends were the main source of information. 65% of the patients reported improvements, especially in their physical and psychological well-being. Significant predictors of CAM use were female gender (P=0.028), younger age (P<0.001), and secondary education (P=0.009). Conclusions: A large proportion of cancer patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy also use complementary medicine, which they mainly take by mouth. Due to the risk of chemotherapy-CAM interactions, it is important for health-professionals to keep abreast of research on this issue, in order to provide advice on its potential benefit and riskshttp://www.aulamedica.es/fh/pdf/10805.pdfComplementary therapies; Neoplasms; Antineoplastic agentsMedicinal plantsHomeopathyPrevalenceSpain
spellingShingle Regina Juanbeltz Zurbano
Mª Dolores Pérez-Fernández
Bianka Tirapu Nicolás
Ruth Vera García
Susana De la Cruz Sánchez
María Teresa Sarobe Carricas
Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment
Farmacia Hospitalaria
Complementary therapies
; Neoplasms
; Antineoplastic agents
Medicinal plants
Homeopathy
Prevalence
Spain
title Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment
title_full Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment
title_fullStr Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment
title_full_unstemmed Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment
title_short Complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment
title_sort complementary medicine use in cancer patients receiving intravenous antineoplastic treatment
topic Complementary therapies
; Neoplasms
; Antineoplastic agents
Medicinal plants
Homeopathy
Prevalence
Spain
url http://www.aulamedica.es/fh/pdf/10805.pdf
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