title: The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is expanding globally. However, prevalence of its use by patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) remains unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory, descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire and interview to describe the use of CAM by patients with CHC attending a liver clinic in the United States.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty percent (n = 120) had used CAM in the last 12 months, most often prayer for health reasons (63%), multivitamins (56%) and herbal medicine (25%). A higher level of education (p < 0.005), poorer health status (p < 0.002) and prior use of anti-viral therapy (p < 0.02) were predictors of CAM use. Participants used CAM to promote general health, but herbal medicine was used to treat CHC symptoms and prevent liver disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of CAM is common among patients with CHC. Failure to acknowledge the use of CAM as a management strategy may restrict the health provider's ability to provide optimal care.
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA. Electronic address: jacqui.richmond@svhm.org.au.
authors.forename: Jacqueline A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA. Electronic address: chip.bailey@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA. Electronic address: keyur.patel@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Keyur
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. Electronic address: jezsi001@mc.duke.edu.
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jezsik
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA. Electronic address: andrew.muir@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. Electronic address: d92621203@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Jr-Rung
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. Electronic address: sheinchung.chow@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Shein-Chung
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA. Electronic address: diane.uzarski@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Uzarski
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA. Electronic address: mchut001@dcri.duke.edu.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McHutchison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D029221:Faith Healing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006304:Health Status; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014815:Vitamins