title: The prevalence and determinants of the use of complementary and alternative medicine in adult Turkish cancer patients.
abstract: A study was undertaken to analyze the extent of using complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and to compare sociodemographic and medical characteristics of users and non-users of CAM in Turkish oncology patients. A total of 615 patients with cancer who attended ambulatory patient care units answered the questionnaires. Medical information was reviewed from chart data. Some 291 patients (47.3%) had used at least one type of CAM since the time of initial diagnosis. CAMs almost always consisted of herbal agents (95%). Nettle (Urticae herba) used in conjunction with (88%) or without (56%) various herbal agents were the most popular and prominent CAMs used by patients. Univariate and multivariate comparisons of users and non-users of CAM were performed. In multivariate analysis, female sex (p=0.0006), high income (p=0.0008), advanced stage at diagnosis (p=0.02), and usage of multiple chemotherapy applications (p=0.03) were determined as independent factors for CAM use.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oncology, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey. faruktas2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tas
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ustuner
authors.forename: Gulbeyaz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Can
authors.forename: Yesim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eralp
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Camlica
authors.forename: Mert
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basaran
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karagol
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sakar
authors.forename: Rian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Disci
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Topuz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations