Factors Predisposing to the Use of Complementary Therapies in Patients With Chronic Renal Failure.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to gather information about complementary medicine applications used by chronic renal failure patients and their relation to demographic factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 1750 chronic renal disease patients who were undergoing hemodialysis, only 450 patients attended in the study. Among 450 patients, 388 gave consent and were interviewed using a previously tested questionnaire. Questions about complementary and alternative medicine use, a list of commonly used methods, and the sources of knowledge about these were asked of all patients.

RESULTS: We observed a significant difference in the patients who were using complementary and alternative medicines before and after diagnosis of chronic renal disease (P < .001). We noted that 87% of the patients used complementary and alternative medicines before diagnosis and 49.8% used these after diagnosis. Among the patients who used complementary and alternative medicines, 76% had faith in these therapies. Of patients who used complementary and alternative medicines, 95% believed that the remedies or processes used were beneficial to their health. Furthermore, 71% of users had great confidence in these therapies and had no belief that these could be harmful. Of those who used complementary and alternative therapies, 51% had no idea whether these therapies were harmful. The source of knowledge was mass media tools (47%), social life (friends, relatives, neighbors, colleagues; 45%), and other patients with chronic renal disease (8%).

CONCLUSIONS: Complementary and alternative medicine therapies have a significant impact on patients with chronic renal disease. Doctors can warn patients about possible dangers of complementary and alternative medicine remedies and treatments.