Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Surgical Patients in a Pakistani Teaching Hospital

Aim-Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage is becoming increasingly common throughout the world. This study explored the prevalence and usage pattern of CAM in patients who underwent common day-case elective operations in a general surgical department in a teaching hospital in Pakistan. Methods A questionnaire covering socio-demographic information and CAM usage, the reasons for its use and opinions on its efficacy, was administered to participants during a 3-month study. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (v-22.0) for descriptive statistics and chi-square testing. Results The questionnaire was completed by 392 patients, 216 of whom were males (55.1%). The day-case surgery most commonly performed was laparoscopic cholecystectomy (41.6%), followed by hemorrhoidectomy (24.7%). Overall, 217 patients (55.4%) reported CAM usage and 42 (19.3%) used more than one type of CAM. Other non-herbal treatments were reported by 64.5%. CAM users were more likely to be older, male and less educated (P-value <0.05). Relatives/neighbors (57.2%) followed by television/radio (36.6%) were the main sources of information on CAM. Over half (60%) stated that their GP was unaware they were using CAM. Conclusion More than half of the patients in the study used CAM. Despite medical concerns regarding the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of CAM, its use amongst surgical patients is common. The surgical team should enquire specifically about CAM use during the pre-operative assessment and be aware of possible drug interactions with herbal remedies, and should inform the patients about potential side effects of CAM.