Preprint / Version 1

Use and toxicity of complementary and alternative medicines among patients visiting emergency department: Systematic review

Authors

  • Abubakar Jatau Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Myat Aung Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kampus Kota, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Tuan Kamauzaman Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Basheer Chedi Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria
  • Abubakar Sha’aban Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Ab Rahman Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Keywords:

Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, emergency department, prevalence, traditional medicine

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted in health-care settings with regards to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients. However, information regarding CAM use among patients in the emergency department (ED) is scarce. The aim of this article was to conduct a systematic review of published studies with regards to CAM use among the ED patients. A literature search of published studies from inception to September 2015 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and manual search of the reference list. 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The prevalence rate of CAM use among ED patients across the studies ranged of 1.4-68.1%. Herbal therapy was the sub-modality of CAM most commonly used and frequently implicated in CAM-related ED visits. Higher education, age, female gender, religious affiliation, and chronic diseases were the most frequent factors associated with CAM use among the ED patients. Over 80% of the ED physicians did not ask the patients about the CAM therapy. Similarly, 80% of the ED patients were ready to disclose CAM therapy to the ED physician. The prevalence rate of CAM use among patients at ED is high and is growing with the current increasing popularity, and it has been a reason for some of the ED visits. There is a need for the health-care professionals to receive training and always ask patients about CAM therapy to enable them provide appropriate medical care and prevent CAM-related adverse events. Keywords: Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, emergency department, prevalence, traditional medicine

Downloads