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Complementary medicines use amongst elective surgery patients at a public tertiary hospital: A prospective observational cohort study in Australia

Edouard Faridovich Guilmetdinov, Marwa Alkhalaf, J. Bhatt, R. Parsons, T. F. Sim

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2019

992 participants · 5 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

and purpose. Complementary medicines (CM) use may result in untoward effects perioperatively. The study purpose is to identify CM pattern of use amongst elective surgery patients, and improve effectiveness of information collection relating to CM use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective observational cohort study. CM questionnaire was administered alongside standard hospital forms at pre-admission clinic over eight weeks.

RESULTS

992 patients attended pre-admission clinic; 317 patients were included in analysis. Introduction of CM questionnaire increased disclosure rate by 11.7% giving a total prevalence of 44.2%. CM use was significantly higher in females and in older patients. Top CM reported were vitamin D (12%) and omega-3 (12%). Majority of patients did not plan to withhold CM before surgery, and were not concerned about perioperative risks.

CONCLUSION

Pre-admission clinics need to encourage CM disclosure. Patient education of potential risks and greater engagement of clinicians in patient assessment is required.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 992 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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