The prevalence of using complementary and alternative medicine products among patients with pressure ulcer

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies has increased in recent years throughout the world and in Iran. Nonetheless, there are limited data about the prevalence of their use. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of using CAM therapies among patients with pressure ulcer (PU). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019–2020. Participants were 299 patients with PU conveniently selected from wound clinics and healthcare settings in Shiraz, Iran. A demographic questionnaire and the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of CAM were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software (v. 22.0). RESULTS: All 299 participants completed the study. Their mean age was 59.56 ± 18.76 years. The most common CAM therapies used for PU management were herbal products (100%), vitamin supplementation therapy (45.2%), spiritual therapies (21.7%), wet cupping therapy (16.4%), leech therapy (9.4%), acupuncture (1.7%), dry cupping therapy (1.3%), and massage therapy (1.3%). The most common herbal product used for PU management was Pistacia atlantica gum either alone or in combination with other herbal products (15.5%). The use of CAM therapies had significant relationship with participants’ age, underlying conditions, and PU stage (P < 0.05) and the most significant predictor of using herbal products for PU was educational level (P < 0.05, OR = 5.098). CONCLUSIONS: The use of CAM therapies, particularly herbal products, for PU management is high in Iran. Quality public education and close professional supervision are needed for the safe use of these products.