Complementary and alternative medicine usage amongst multiple sclerosis patients in Iran

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage amongst multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Iran and to evaluate the perceived effectiveness. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 194 patients with MS at the neurology clinics affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences by a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of CAM usage was 67.9%. Herbal medicine was the most common CAM used among the patients (64.2%). Cupping therapy, relaxation therapies, acupuncture, leech therapy were the other common CAM modalities used. Although less commonly used, yoga had the highest perceived effectiveness. Conclusions: Due to the high prevalence of CAM usage, physicians should inform their patients about the advantages and disadvantages of CAM so as to help the patients make an informed choice.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System: A Cross-Sectional Study in Thailand

“… 30 On the contrary, herbal medicine constituted the predominant choice among Iranian MS patients, accounting for 64.2% of CAM use. 33 These findings diverge from a systematic review of CAM recommendations for depression, which identified exercise as the most recommended intervention for depression treatment while advising against the use of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. 41 …”

“…This study included data on the use of CAMs among patients with NMOSD and MOGAD, which had not been widely reported, unlike other studies, which focused mainly on MS patients. 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 …”

Prevalence, patterns, and disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients with thyroid diseases: A cross-sectional study in Iran

“…The prevalence of CAM use also varied among specific disease populations, such as patients with diabetes mellitus (ranging from 37 % to 86 %), multiple sclerosis (67.9 %–85 %), dyslipidemia (77.4 %), thalassemia (68 %), coagulation disorders (49.3 %), cancer (35 %), and dermatological diseases (31 %). These differences in CAM use may be attributed to cultural factors, availability of CAM modalities, and the health status of individuals [ 23 , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] ]. Anbari and Ghanadi [ 38 ] reported a lifetime CAM use of approximately 80 % among clients over 15 years old referred to health centers and hospitals in Khorramabad .…”