title: Factors associated with discontinuation of complementary and alternative medicine among Korean cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine patient characteristics and other factors associated with discontinuation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A national, multicenter, cross-sectional survey of cancer patients was performed in which 674 of 2,661 patients were analyzed for their use of CAM after cancer diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the factors related to CAM discontinuation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the surveyed cancer patients, 25.3% (674 of 2,661) had used CAM, whereas 38.3% (258 of 674) of those with CAM experience had discontinued CAM therapy. The most frequently used form of CAM was herbs (43.5%). The major reasons for the discontinuation of CAM included absence of effects (23.9%), financial burden (22.9%), and physician opposition (13.7%). Other factors associated with the discontinuation of CAM included metastatic cancer (OR = 2.06), a long duration of cancer treatment (OR = 3.34), dissatisfaction (OR = 4.34), and side effects (OR = 4.23) of CAM therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For cancer patients to correctly employ CAM therapy, increase their satisfaction, and reduce their side effects, efforts should be made to analyze the cost effectiveness of CAM, and valid information must be provided to physicians and cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Control Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: So Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyung Sook
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Hyock
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ji-Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Sung Kyeong
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Eun Cheol
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hong Gwan
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Seo
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013997:Time Factors