Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Hemodialysis Patients in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Due to its perceived safety and ease of access, complementary and alternative medicine has gained great popularity around the world for the self-management of a disease, including end-stage renal disease. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine used among the end-stage renal disease patients receiving hemodialysis in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The study employed face-to-face interviews of patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis at three outpatient renal centers in the southern region of Saudi Arabia from November 2019 to January 2020. Of the 331 participants interviewed, 166 (50.1%) reported the use of complementary and alternative modalities. Of the complementary and alternative approaches used, herbal remedies were the most common (80%), followed by Quran recitation (40.8%), Zamzam water (29.9%), and honey (24.5%). Most patients used botanical-based therapies, such as herbal medicine that necessitates need for better understanding of the possible mechanism for better communication between the patients and healthcare providers. Patient education on the potential risks/benefits of different complementary and alternative modalities and herbal drug/disease interactions should be offered by healthcare professionals.