Use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) among cancer patients varies greatly. The available data suggest an increasing use of CAM over time and a higher prevalence in low- and middle-income countries. However, no reliable data are available from Latin America. Accordingly, we examined the prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients from six Colombian regions. METHODS: We conducted a survey on cancer patients attending comprehensive cancer centres in six capital cities from different regions. The survey was designed based on a literature review and information gathered through focus groups on CAM terminology in Colombia. Independent random samples of patients from two comprehensive cancer centres in every city were obtained. Patients 18 years and older with a histopathological diagnosis of cancer undergoing active treatment were eligible. The prevalence of CAM use is reported as a percentage with the corresponding confidence interval. CAM types are reported by region. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of CAM users and non-users were compared using Chi square and t tests. RESULTS: In total, 3117 patients were recruited. The average age 59.6 years old, and 62.8% were female. The prevalence of CAM use was 51.7%, and compared to non-users, CAM users were younger, more frequently women, affiliated with the health insurance plan for low-income populations and non-Catholic. We found no differences regarding the clinical stage or treatment modality, but CAM users reported more treatment-related side effects. The most frequent types of CAM were herbal products, specific foods and vitamins, and individually, soursop was the most frequently used product. Relevant variability between regions was observed regarding the prevalence and type of CAM used (range: 36.6% to 66.7%). The most frequent reason for using CAM was symptom management (30.5%), followed by curative purposes (19.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients in Colombia is high in general, and variations between regions might be related to differences in cultural backgrounds and access to comprehensive cancer care. The most frequently used CAM products and practices have little scientific support, suggesting the need to enhance integrative oncology research in the country.

Ischemic stroke secondary to self-inflicted carotid sinus massage: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The risk of stroke after carotid sinus massage is greater if there is preexisting carotid stenosis or carotid plaques. We present the case of a patient with underlying 40% carotid stenosis, who developed a watershed stroke after a self-neck massage in our stroke unit. We show a well-documented case with magnetic resonance images before and after the neck massage. We report a case of a watershed brain infarct after a self-massage of the carotid sinus, with preexisting carotid artery stenosis. Neck massage continues to be a significant cause of stroke and should therefore not be performed by patients. Clinicians must be aware of the implications of a carotid sinus massage in both the outpatient and inpatient settings. CASE PRESENTATION: We admitted a 58-year-old white male patient, with no relevant medical history, to our department with a brain stem infarct. During his stay at our stroke unit, the patient performed a self-neck massage with consecutive bradycardia and asystole, resulting in left-side hemiparesis. The underlying cause of the hemodynamic stroke is believed to be secondary to this intensive neck massage performed by the patient. The patient also suffered from unknown right internal carotid artery stenosis. CONCLUSION: Clinicians and patients must be aware that neck massage can lead to ischemic stroke. We postulate that repetitive impaired cardiac output can lead to a hemodynamic (watershed-type) stroke.