OBJECTIVES: To investigate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to explore their beliefs about CAM. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of 173 patients with moderate to severe COPD, and in depth interviews with a purposive sample of 28 patients. SETTING: Ambulatory care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of CAM; beliefs about the value of CAM. RESULTS: 71 patients (41%) claimed to be using some form of CAM. Most commonly used were multivitamins and minerals, and garlic was the most commonly used herbal preparation. Patients reported that advertisements and people with prior experience of using CAM were their major sources of information. Extent of knowledge about CAM, degree of faith in CAM and personal attitudes influenced decisions to try CAM. Patients used CAM to promote general wellbeing, to counteract drug side effects, to compensate for dietary deficiencies and to ameliorate their disease. Efficacy appeared less important to users than safety. CAM practitioners were regarded as more convincing, informative, considerate and available compared with mainstream health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Communication between patients and mainstream health professionals about CAM use could be improved by health professionals being more accepting of CAM use and having some basic knowledge about commonly used CAM preparations.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to explore their beliefs about CAM. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of 173 patients with moderate to severe COPD, and in depth interviews with a purposive sample of 28 patients. SETTING: Ambulatory care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of CAM; beliefs about the value of CAM. RESULTS: 71 patients (41%) claimed to be using some form of CAM. Most commonly used were multivitamins and minerals, and garlic was the most commonly used herbal preparation. Patients reported that advertisements and people with prior experience of using CAM were their major sources of information. Extent of knowledge about CAM, degree of faith in CAM and personal attitudes influenced decisions to try CAM. Patients used CAM to promote general wellbeing, to counteract drug side effects, to compensate for dietary deficiencies and to ameliorate their disease. Efficacy appeared less important to users than safety. CAM practitioners were regarded as more convincing, informative, considerate and available compared with mainstream health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Communication between patients and mainstream health professionals about CAM use could be improved by health professionals being more accepting of CAM use and having some basic knowledge about commonly used CAM preparations.
Authors: Renuka T Rudra; Gary J Farkas; Shahd Haidar; Kristin E Slavoski; Nancy E Lokey; Timothy R Hudson Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2017-08-06 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Charlie C Xue; Johannah L Shergis; Anthony L Zhang; Christopher Worsnop; Harry Fong; David Story; Cliff Da Costa; Francis Ck Thien Journal: Trials Date: 2011-06-30 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Lei Wu; Yuanbin Chen; Yinji Xu; Xinfeng Guo; Xiaoyan Li; Anthony Lin Zhang; Brian H May; Charlie Changli Xue; Zehuai Wen; Lin Lin Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2013-03-27 Impact factor: 2.629
Authors: Xiankun Chen; Brian May; Yuan Ming Di; Anthony Lin Zhang; Chuanjian Lu; Charlie Changli Xue; Lin Lin Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-03-12 Impact factor: 3.240