Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practice Among Saudi Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Main Authors: AlAnizy L, AlMatham K, Al Basheer A, AlFayyad I
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease
• Subjects: alternative medicine; complementary medicine; chronic kidney disease; saudi arabia
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-practice-among-saudi-patients-w-peer-reviewed-article-IJNRD

Layla AlAnizy, 1 Khalid AlMatham, 2 Asmaa Al Basheer, 3 Isamme AlFayyad 4 1Department of Pharmacy, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 4Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Layla AlAnizyDepartment of Pharmacy, King Fahad Medical City, PO Box 59046, Riyadh 11525, Saudi ArabiaTel [phone]Email [e-mail]: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has significantly increased. However, statistics regarding CAM practices among patients with CKD in Saudi and worldwide are limited. Hence, this study aimed to explore the prevalence and types of CAM in Saudi patients with CKD.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 315 patients, who were divided into CKD stages 3– 4, CKD stage 5-hemodialysis, and kidney transplant with functioning allografts, by using a convenience sampling technique between September and December 2018. Next, they answered a self-administered questionnaire. The study outcomes were the prevalence of CAM, CAM types, reasons for using herbs, and the source of information about CAM.Results: Overall, 54.9% of the study participants were current CAM users, of which 88.4% were herbal consumers. Patients with CKD stages 3– 4 accounted for 87.3% of the CAM users, followed by those with CKD 5-hemodialysis (7.5%) and CKD-transplant recipients (5.2%). CAM practice was associated with monthly income (P = 0.021). Meanwhile, 79% of CAM users did not report their CAM practices to their primary physicians. Nigella sativa and parsley were the most commonly consumed herbs by CAM users [94 (61.4%) and 78 (51%), respectively].Conclusion: CAM practice and herb consumption were highly prevalent among patients with CKD. Patients inadequately inform the primary physicians about their CAM practices. Therefore, healthcare providers are encouraged to inquire about these practices.Keywords: alternative medicine, complementary medicine, chronic kidney disease, Saudi Arabia