The prevalence and predictors of using herbal medicines among Iranian cancer patients. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bazrafshani, Maliheh Sadat; Khandani, Behjat Kalantari; Pardakhty, Abbas; Tajadini, Haleh; Pour Afshar, Reza Malek; Moazed, Vahid; Nemati, Ali; Nasiri, Naser; Sharifi, Hamid
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 35(2019)
• Page Start: 368
• Page End: 373
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Cancer -- Chemotherapy -- Herbal medicines -- Iran; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.03.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background: and Purpose: Using of herbal medicines is common for cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, reasons, and predicting factors for the use of herbal medicines by Iranian cancer patients. Materials and methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study on 315 cancer patients through face-to-face interview in Kerman, Southeast of Iran, 2017. Results: In total, 267 (84.1%) patients used at least one herbal medicine during chemotherapy courses, while only 42 (16.1%) patients discussed the use of herbal medicines with physicians. Living in urban regions (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.30–5.05; P<0.0001) and the experience of constipation and diarrhea (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.09–4.05; P = 0.02) were determined as some predicting factors for the use of herbal medicines. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that as herbal medicines are common among cancer patients and their use is often overlooked, physicians should pay particular attention to herbal medicines during chemotherapy. Highlights: The most of cancer patients used herbal medicines during chemotherapy courses, while few patients consulted their physicians about these herbal remedies. Patients used 80 different herbal medicines during chemotherapy courses. Matricaria chamomilla L. and Mentha aquatic were the most popular ones. The main reason for using herbal medicines was previous successful experience in previous uses. Family and relatives played an important role for using herbal medicines. Some chemotherapy side effects, place of residence and metastatic status identified as predictors for using herbal medicines among cancer patients.