Prevalence and correlates of selected alternative and complementary medicine in adult renal transplant patients.
BACKGROUND
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased considerably in the general population in recent decades. However, the prevalence of CAM use in renal transplant patients has not yet been assessed.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and correlates of CAM use among renal transplant patients (RTX) who are more than one year post transplant.


METHODS
This secondary data analysis used data from Part 1 of the Supporting Medication Adherence in Renal Transplantation (SMART) study, which tested prevalence, determinants and consequences of non-adherence regarding immunosuppressive medication in kidney transplant (renal TX) patients. The study's convenience sample consisted of 356 patients recruited from two Swiss outpatient transplant clinics during their annual examination visits (mean age: 53+/-13; male: 58%). The use of CAM as well as the specific kind of CAM used was assessed through structured interviews. Assessed CAM use correlates were age, gender, education, depressive symptomatology, comorbidity and smoking status. Relationships between CAM use and candidate correlates were explored using multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
The prevalence of CAM use in this sample of renal TX patients was 11.8%. Most frequently used alternative medicines were Homeopathy (42.9%) and Chinese medicine (23.8%). Two patients used St John's wort. The percentage of patients using Homeopathy (5.1%) and herbal medicine (2%) was similar to that of the general Swiss population (HO: 6.1% & HM: 2.6%). Significant correlates for CAM use were younger age (p=0.017; OR=0.96; 95%CI=0.93-0.99) and female gender (p=0.035; OR=2.13; 95%CI=1.05-4.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Every eighth renal transplant recipient in this sample used some form of CAM. Of these, some used herbal medicines, of which some are known to interfere with certain immunosuppressive treatment (St John's wort/Chinese medicines). These findings indicate that it is important for health care providers working in renal TX to assess CAM use.
Hess
Sascha
S
Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
De Geest
Sabina
S
Halter
Klaus
K
Dickenmann
Michael
M
Denhaerynck
Kris
K
D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015995:Prevalence; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents