title: Complementary and alternative medicine use in the thyroid patients of a head and neck practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients being investigated for thyroid nodules in a head and neck oncology practice. Subsequently, to determine whether the common therapies used were likely to interfere with the planned patient's care and whether the predominance was significant to warrant inclusion in routine history assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey regarding CAM use was completed by 100 patients being investigated for thyroid nodules upon their initial presentation to a head and neck oncology practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary results showed that 79% of participants have a history of CAM use and 51% of participants were actively using oral supplements. Thirty-one percent of participants reported using supplements known to have hemostasis-affecting properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical professionals should incorporate CAM questioning in any thyroid patient assessment to reduce patient risk and optimize medical and surgical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Maria K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Brake
authors.forename: Clark
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Jonathon R B
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Trites
authors.forename: S Mark
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009674:Nova Scotia; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000628:therapy*