Prevalence and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with chronic liver disease

Objectives Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses a wide variety of health practices which are not typically part of conventional medical care. This study explores the types of CAM utilized and the associated factors of using CAM among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Despite many CAM therapies being scientifically validated, others lack substantial scientific evidence of their effectiveness. To explore the prevalence, use, and associated factors of using CAM among patients with CLD. Material and Methods A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 201 patients were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The inclusion criteria included patients who were using CAM for the past one year. The Standard International Complementary and alternative medicine questionnaire (I - CAM) was used to collect the data. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis were used for analyzing the data. Results The study reveals a diverse use of CAM among CLD patients. Of 201 participants, 57% were females, with 60% using herbal medicines and 38% using homeopathy. Among the 39.8% male participants, 40% used herbal medicines, and 62% homeopathy. Nearly all participants (99.5%) took dietary supplements. Married individuals were 2.5 times more likely to use herbal medicine, which was associated with a 67.3% lower likelihood of hospitalization for CLD. Long-term use (>1 year) increased the odds of CAM use. Popular self-help practices included yoga (46.3%), meditation (31.3%), and prayer (10%). CAM use was driven by personal beliefs, cultural practices, perceived effectiveness, and trusted recommendations. Conclusion A variety of CAM therapies are being used by patients with CLD, influenced by various factors. More research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of these treatments.