Use of complementary and alternative medicines among women with gestational trophoblastic diseases: a survey at the Philippine General Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among women with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).


METHODS
A survey on the use of CAM among women (N = 52) with GTD managed at the UP-PGH Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Center from June to August 2009 was done.


RESULTS
The mean age of the participants was 32.3 years, and there were no significant differences in the proportion of CAM users as to educational attainment, diagnosis and treatment type received. Among the participants 96% used CAM, most commonly mental healing/prayer, fruit juices/vegetable diet, banaba/taheebo tea and multivitamins. Reasons for CAM use included safety, improvement of immune system, stress reduction and hope for their condition. Benefits included enhanced quality of life, stress reduction, immune system improvement and a healthier lifestyle. No untoward effect of CAM use was reported. Thirty-six percent of the participants disclosed CAM use to their physician. About 56% percent of the physicians were in favor of the CAM used. The main sources of information on CAM were relatives and friends.


CONCLUSIONS
To better address patients' needs, physicians should routinely ask patients about their use of CAM and be able to discuss these therapies with them.
Cagayan
M Stephanie Fay S
MS
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine, Manila. faye_cagayan@hotmail.com
Oras
Celestrell May W
CM
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010679:Philippines; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents