Complementary and alternative medicine use in colorectal cancer patients in seven European countries

Molassiotis, Alex; Fernández, Paz; Pud, Dorit; Özden, Gülten; Platin, Nurgün; Hummerston, Sandra; Scott, J. A.; Panteli, Vassiliki; Guðmundsdóttir, Guðbjörg; Selvekerova, Sarka; Patiraki, Elisabeth; Kearney, Nora

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2005.07.002

Cited by 69 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…That few (1.6%) received recommendations for CAM use by their physicians is consistent with studies done in Japan (Hyodo et al, 2005) and Europe (Molassiotis et al, 2005), however it did not consistent according to geographic variance (Risberg et al, 2003). The reasons given in this study for patients' not communicating with physicians were the same as those reported in previous studies-the perception that physicians were indifferent to or opposed CAM use, the physicians' emphasis on scientific evidence, and anticipation of a negative response from the physician (Richardson, 1999;Tasaki et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Moreover, 2.9% of our study patients reported adverse effects, which is similar to the findings in Europe (4.4%) (Molassiotis et al, 2005) and the U.S. (6%) (McPherson and Addington-Hall, 2003). Despite their extensive use, there is a paucity of data available to indicate whether CAM practices are efficacious and safe (Spiegel et al, 1989;Risberg et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…Belief is also involved in CAM use. Many cancer patients hold hope that CAM can fight cancer directly (Molassiotis et al, 2005;Vitetta and Sali, 2006) or enhance the body's ability to fight cancer (Risberg et al, 2003;Sollner et al, 1998), helping them to live longer (Richardson et al, 2000). Such expectations, however, go unfulfilled, as they were in this study (Molassiotis et al, 2005;Sollner et al, 1998).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 52%

“…The overall prevalence of CAM use in cancer patients ranges from 7% to 98% (Navo et al, 2004;Swisher et al, 2002) with the Japanese rate (44.6%) being somewhat higher than ours. The broad range is due in part to different definitions of CAM, differences in the size and nature of the study population (Navo et al, 2004), and different geographic settings (Molassiotis et al, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Predictors of CAM in Western countries, however, include being female (Molassiotis et al, 2005;Risberg et al, 2003), younger (Burstein et al, 1999;Risberg et al, 2003), more highly educated (Kao and Devine, 2000;Lerner and Kennedy, 1992), employed (Verhoef et al, 2005), professional (Downer et al, 1994), and having a higher income (Kao and Devine, 2000;McEachrane-Gross et al, 2006), while other studies showed inconsistent associations (Navo et al, 2004) or none (Tasaki et al, 2002). Although several studies report no relationship between CAM use and conventional treatment (McEachrane-Gross et al, 2006), advanced stage (Tas et al, 2005), or disease site (Fernandez et al, 1998), patients with lymphoma or cancer of the brain or CNS tend to use CAMs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients at the End of Life: Korean National Study

Choi¹,

Chang²,

Hong³

et al. 2012

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

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Objectives: To investigate in depth the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) by cancer patients at the end-of-life (EOL) and how they communicate with physicians about them. Design and location: In 17 hospitals in Korea between January and December 2004 we identified 4,042 families of cancer patients. Results: The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients at the EOL was 37.0%, and 93.1% had used pharmacologic types of agents. The most frequent motive for CAM use was the recommendation of friends or a close relative (53.4%) or a physician (1.6%). Only 42.5% discussed CAM use with their physicians. Satisfaction with CAMS was recalled for 37.1% . The most common reason given for that satisfaction was improvement of emotional or physical well-being, while ineffectiveness was the most common reason given for dissatisfaction. The average cost of CAM during the last month of life was $US 900. CAM use was associated with longer disease periods, primary cancers other than liver, biliary, and pancreatic, and need of support from physicians or religion. Conclusions: CAM use among cancer patients at the EOL was common, not discussed with physicians, and associated with expectation of cure. Expectations were generally unmet while the treatments were a financial burden. Further studies evaluating the effects of CAM at the EOL and factors that enhance communication with the physician are needed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 52%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients at the End of Life: Korean National Study

Choi¹,

Chang²,

Hong³

et al. 2012

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

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Acute liver failure is associated with elevated liver stiffness and hepatic stellate cell activation

Dechêne¹,

Sowa²,

Gieseler³

et al. 2010

Hepatology

139

103

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Acute liver failure (ALF) is associated with massive short-term cell death, whereas chronic liver injury is accompanied by continuous cell death. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contribute to tissue repair and liver fibrosis in chronic liver injury, although their role in ALF remains unexplained. Twenty-nine patients (median age 5 43 years, 17 females and 12 males) with ALF according to the Acute Liver Failure Study Group criteria were included. Upon the diagnosis of ALF and after 7 days, we determined liver stiffness (LS) with FibroScan, standard laboratory parameters, and serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), TIMP-2, hyaluronic acid, and markers of overall cell death (M65) and apoptosis (M30). Stellate cell activation and progenitor response were analyzed immunohistochemically in biopsy samples of 12 patients with a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), keratin-17, and keratin-19 staining, respectively. Cell death markers (M30 level 5 2243 6 559.6 U/L, M65 level 5 3732 6 839.9 U/L) and fibrosis markers (TIMP-1 level 5 629.9 6 69.4 U/mL, MMP-2 level 5 264 6 32.5 U/mL, hyaluronic acid level 5 438.5 6 69.3 lg/mL) were significantly increased in patients versus healthy controls. This was paralleled by collagen deposition, elevated a-SMA expression, and higher LS (25.6 6 3.0 kPa). ALF was associated with ductular progenitor proliferation. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate HSC activation and a progenitor response in ALF. Positive correlations between LS, the degree of liver cell damage, and the intensity of HSC activation suggest that fibrosis is a response to ALF in an attempt to repair damaged tissue. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;52:1008-1016 A cute liver failure (ALF) is a devastating clinical syndrome associated with high mortality in the absence of immediate state-of-the-art intensive care or liver transplantation. 1 ALF can occur as a result of various etiologies (overdosing with acetaminophen or other drugs, viral hepatitis, ischemia, and other causes 1 ); in approximately 15% of adult cases and 50% of pediatric cases, the reason is unidentified. 2

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Impact of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapeutic toxicity: A systematic review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials

Block

Koch

Mead

et al. 2008

Intl Journal of Cancer

249

151

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Much debate has focused on whether antioxidants interfere with the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to systematically review the randomized, controlled clinical trial evidence evaluating the effects of concurrent use of antioxidants with chemotherapy on toxic side effects. We performed a search of literature from 1966‐October 2007 using MEDLINE, Cochrane, CinAhl, AMED, AltHealthWatch and EMBASE databases. Randomized, controlled clinical trials reporting antioxidant‐based mitigation of chemotherapy toxicity were included in the final tally. Searches were performed following a standardized protocol for systematic reviews. Only 33 of 965 articles considered, including 2,446 subjects, met the inclusion criteria. Antioxidants evaluated were: glutathione (11), melatonin (7), vitamin A (1), an antioxidant mixture (2), N‐acetylcysteine (2), vitamin E (5), selenium (2), L‐carnitine (1), Co‐Q10 (1) and ellagic acid (1). The majority (24) of the 33 studies included reported evidence of decreased toxicities from the concurrent use of antioxidants with chemotherapy. Nine studies reported no difference in toxicities between the 2 groups. Only 1 study (vitamin A) reported a significant increase in toxicity in the antioxidant group. Five studies reported the antioxidant group completed more full doses of chemotherapy or had less‐dose reduction than control groups. Statistical power and poor study quality were concerns with some studies. This review provides the first systematically reviewed evidence that antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy holds potential for reducing dose‐limiting toxicities. However, well‐designed studies evaluating larger populations of patients given specific antioxidants defined by dose and schedule relative to chemotherapy are warranted. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Complementary and alternative medicine use in colorectal cancer patients in seven European countries

Cited by 69 publications

References 24 publications

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients at the End of Life: Korean National Study

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients at the End of Life: Korean National Study

Acute liver failure is associated with elevated liver stiffness and hepatic stellate cell activation

Impact of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapeutic toxicity: A systematic review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials

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