title: [Use of herbal remedies among HIV-infected patients: patterns and correlates].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of use of herbal remedies among HIV-infected patients, and to identify potential health risks and correlates associated with the use of these products.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey including 1000 HIV-infected outpatients in Barcelona. Participants completed a questionnaire on the use of herbal remedies and other types of complementary treatments within the previous year as well as on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Herbal users' questionnaires were scrutinized for potential adverse effects and drug interactions with antiretroviral treatment. Correlates of use of herbal remedies were evaluated through logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One third of patients (n=355) had used herbal remedies, but doctors were informed about such a use by only 69 (19.4%) herbal users. Potential health problems were identified in 193 (54.4%) cases. Herbal remedy use was related to a history of ever discussing complementary and alternative medicine use with the physician (OR: 3.12; 95% CI: 2.30-4.23), having a secondary-school or higher education (OR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.78-3.88), and perception of complementary therapies as effective (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.18-4.41). Other factors were non-Caucasian ethnicity (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.07-2.56) and the presence of non-HIV-related symptoms (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.24-2.28).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Herbal remedy use is common among HIV-infected patients. HIV caregivers and patients should be sensitized to potential risks and the use of these remedies should be routinely monitored in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Fundació Lluita contra la Sida, Hospital de día de VIH, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España. jmolto@flsida.org
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moltó
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.forename: Angels
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreu
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bonafont
authors.forename: Bonaventura
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clotet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents