{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Prevalence, patterns, and disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients with thyroid diseases: A cross-sectional study in Iran.
{Author}: Ostovar M;Shams M;Mahmoudi M;Dehghan A;Moini Jazani A;Hashempur MH;
{Journal}: Heliyon
{Volume}: 10
{Issue}: 13
{Year}: 2024 Jul 15
{Factor}: 3.776
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33436
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained popularity as a therapeutic approach outside conventional medicine for various medical conditions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, patterns, and disclosure of CAM use among patients with thyroid diseases in Iran.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study involved patients with thyroid diseases who were visiting Internal Medicine Clinics in Shiraz. The use of CAM was assessed by employing the Persian edition of the I-CAM-Q (I-CAM-IR) questionnaire.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A total of 343 individuals took part in the study, and 85.4 % of them reported using CAM within the previous 12 months. Medicinal herbs were the most commonly used CAM modality (63 %). CAM use was primarily for enhancing overall well-being. Among self-care CAM practices, praying was the most frequently employed (70 %). Women exhibited a significantly higher CAM utilization rate (four times greater) compared to men (p < 0.001), with herbs being more commonly used by women (p < 0.001). A significant proportion of participants did not inform their physicians about their CAM use, and 46 % experienced significant benefits from using CAM.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This study highlights a high prevalence of CAM use, particularly herbal remedies, among Iranian patients with thyroid diseases.