Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZG, UK.
Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2012 May;68(5):811-9. doi: 10.1007/s00228-011-1181-6. Epub 2011 Dec 14.
Despite the increased use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by breast cancer patients, there is little published information regarding CAM use in the Scottish breast cancer population.
A questionnaire comprising five sections--demographics; perceived health status, prescribed medicines; use, indications, satisfaction and expenditure on CAMs; attitudes towards and factors associated with CAM use; and attitudinal statements--was issued to patients attending the Aberdeen Breast Clinic.
A total of 453 questionnaires were distributed and 360 (79.5%) returned. Respondents were prescribed a mean of 3.2 medicines (95% CI 2.83-3.47). With regard to CAM use, 33.1% of respondents reported current use, 36.4% prior use, and 30.6% reported never having used CAMs. The key indications for use were general well being, boosting immune system and cancer prophylaxis, with high levels of satisfaction reported. The strongest association for CAM use was use by friends and family and higher educational attainment (p < 0.001). Supplements with estrogenic activity, such as soya or red clover, were taken by 29% of respondents. Herbs (echinacea, pomegranate, peppermint, chamomile, grapefruit, garlic, ginseng) that have the potential to interact with adjuvant endocrine therapies (tamoxifen, anastrazole, letrozole, exemestane) were being taken by 38% of treated patients.
The level of CAM use by Scottish breast cancer patients is similar to that reported from other countries, although there are marked differences in the type, nature and frequency of specific CAM therapies. Higher patient education level and use by family and friends were significantly associated with CAM use. The high level of use of potentially disease modifying or interacting herb supplements may be of concern.
尽管越来越多的乳腺癌患者采用补充和替代医学（CAM），但苏格兰乳腺癌人群中关于 CAM 使用的信息很少。
一份包含五个部分的问卷——人口统计学；感知健康状况、规定药物；CAM 的使用、适应症、满意度和支出；对 CAM 使用的态度和相关因素；以及态度陈述——被分发给在阿伯丁乳房诊所就诊的患者。
共发放了 453 份问卷，其中 360 份（79.5%）被收回。受访者被规定服用的药物平均为 3.2 种（95%置信区间 2.83-3.47）。关于 CAM 的使用，33.1%的受访者报告目前正在使用，36.4%的受访者报告以前使用过，30.6%的受访者报告从未使用过 CAM。使用的主要适应症是整体健康、增强免疫系统和癌症预防，报告的满意度很高。CAM 使用的最强关联是朋友和家人的使用以及更高的教育程度（p<0.001）。有 29%的受访者服用具有雌激素活性的补充剂，如大豆或红三叶草。正在服用具有与辅助内分泌治疗（他莫昔芬、阿那曲唑、来曲唑、依西美坦）相互作用潜力的草药（西洋蓍草、石榴、薄荷、甘菊、葡萄柚、大蒜、人参）的患者占治疗患者的 38%。
苏格兰乳腺癌患者的 CAM 使用水平与其他国家报告的水平相似，尽管特定 CAM 治疗的类型、性质和频率存在明显差异。较高的患者教育水平和家人及朋友的使用与 CAM 的使用显著相关。潜在的疾病修饰或相互作用的草药补充剂的高使用率可能令人担忧。
