Complementary and alternative medicine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Bleeding Risk of Acupuncture for Patients with Hematological Malignancies Accompanying Thrombocytopenia: A Retrospective Chart Review

Introduction: In recent years, it has been reported that acupuncture is useful for alleviating the symptoms of patients with hematological malignancies, but the safety of acupuncture for such patients has not been established. This study evaluated the risk of bleeding from acupuncture in patients with hematological malignancies accompanying thrombocytopenia. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective investigation of the medical records of patients with hematological malignancies who received acupuncture during hospitalization at the hematology department of a single medical center in Japan. The bleeding risk at the acupuncture site was evaluated in the following four groups according to the platelet count measured on the day of acupuncture treatment: (1) <20 × 103/μL, (2) 20-49 × 103/μL, (3) 50-99 × 103/μL, and (4) 100 × 103/μL or more. Occurrence of grade 2 or higher bleeding according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0, within 24 h from the acupuncture session or before the next session was defined as an event, and the risk of occurrence of bleeding was examined in each group. Results: Of 2423 acupuncture sessions conducted on 51 patients with hematological malignancies, 815 were included in the analysis. Ninety sessions were performed in the <20 × 103/μL platelet count group, 161 in the 20-49 × 103/μL group, 133 in the 50-99 × 103/μL group, and 431 in the 100 × 103/μL or more group. No bleeding event according to the authors' definition occurred in any of these groups. Conclusions: This study is the largest to date to assess the bleeding risk of acupuncture in patients with hematological malignancies accompanying thrombocytopenia. The authors considered that acupuncture could be safely performed without causing serious bleeding for patients with hematological malignancies accompanying thrombocytopenia.

TCM as adjunctive therapy improves risks of respiratory hospitalizations in persons with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective cohort study

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma than the general population. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might be beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether TCM use was associated with a reduced risk of respiratory hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conducting a retrospective cohort study, we used data retrieved from the NDCMP database. Among 56,035 patients, 5226 were classified as TCM users; 50,809 were classified as TCM nonusers. Both groups were analyzed until the end of 2011 to examine the incidence of respiratory hospitalizations by using a Cox proportional hazards model to evaluate effects of TCM use on respiratory hospitalizations. During the 6-year study follow-up period, the incidence density rates of COPD- and asthma-related hospitalization were estimated to be 13.03 and 4.47 per 10,000 patient-years for TCM nonusers and 10.08 and 3.28 per 10,000 patient-years for TCM users, respectively. The HR of COPD-related hospitalization in TCM users was 0.88 (95% CI = 0.79-0.99); and the HR of asthma-related hospitalization in TCM users was 0.81 (95% CI = 0.66-1.00). Stratified analyses revealed that effects of TCM use were stronger among individuals who had diabetes for <3 years. As a part of Integrative Medicine, our study results demonstrate that TCM use was associated with a significant reduced risk of respiratory hospitalizations, especially in patients with diabetes for <3 years.

Evidence for and Against Green Tea and Turmeric in the Management of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a diverse group of medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia diagnosed in the western hemisphere, and 16.5% to 66% of patients have reported using CAM. Most patients use spiritual/mind-body techniques and high doses of vitamins and herbs (most commonly polyphenols, including teas). We have reviewed the reported data on green tea and turmeric use in CLL patients.

Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Hematologic Malignancies: Questions and Challenges

Hematologic malignancies represent 9.7% of all cancers, making them the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States. The aggressive and complex treatments administered in hematologic malignancies result in a high burden of psychological needs. Complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) is becoming one of the options that patients use to address their distress during and after cancer treatments. It is not clear whether appropriate CIM can relieve distress in patients affected by these malignancies. This review covers the potential benefits of CIM as relates to nutrition, nutritional supplements, exercise, circadian rhythm, methods for reducing distress during bone marrow aspiration, massage therapy, and acupuncture, in treating patients with hematological malignancies. This review may provide a framework to enhance patient-doctor dialogue regarding CIM use in hematologic malignancies.

The Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Patients with Leukemia

Leukemia is the most common malignancy among all childhood cancers and is associated with a low survival rate in adult patients. Since 1995, the National Health Insurance (NHI) program in Taiwan has been offering insurance coverage for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with conventional Western medicine (WM). This study analyzes the status of TCM utilization in Taiwan, in both pediatric and adult patients with leukemia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using population-based National Health Insurance Research Database of Registry of Catastrophic Illness, involving patient data from 2001 to 2010 and follow-up data through 2011. The effectiveness of TCM use was evaluated. Relevant sociodemographic data showed that both pediatric and adult patients who were TCM users one year prior to leukemia diagnosis were more likely to utilize TCM services for cancer therapy. A greater part of medical expenditure of TCM users was lower than that of TCM nonusers, except little discrepancy in drug fee of adult patients. The survival rate is also higher in TCM users. Altogether, these data show that TCM has the potential to serve as an adjuvant therapy when combined with conventional WM in the treatment of patients with leukemia.

Integration of Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy Improves Survival of Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Utilization of Chinese Medicine (CM) is not uncommon in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the current knowledge of the usage and efficacy of CM among CLL patients is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of integrative Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) on the disease course of CLL and ascertain the herbal products most commonly prescribed to patients with CLL.A Taiwanese nationwide population-based study involving the use of Western medicine and CM services provided by the National Health Insurance (NHI) was conducted.An NHI Research Database-based cohort study was performed; the timeframe of the study was January 2000 to December 2010. The end of the follow-up period was defined as December 31, 2011.A total of 808 patients were diagnosed with CLL in Taiwan within the defined study period. After randomly matching for age and sex and excluding patients younger than 18 years of age, data from 616 patients were analyzed.The 2 study groups both received standard of care treatment. In addition, 1 group also received CHM. Patients who were registered as receiving other forms of CM, such as acupuncture, were excluded.Hazard ratios of mortality were used to determine the influence of CHM and the therapeutic potential of herbal products.In total, 616 CLL patients were included in the analyses. We found that the HR associated with the adjunctive use of CHM was less than half when compared to the non-CHM group (0.43, 95% CI 0.33-0.55, P < 0.0001) and that treatment-naive patients who used CHM had the lowest HR. We also established that this association between reduction in HR and CHM was dose-dependent, and the longer CHM users received prescriptions, the lower the HR (P < 0.001).We supplied data from a relatively large population that spanned a significant amount of time. Our data suggests that the treatment of CLL with adjunctive CHM may have a substantial positive impact on mortality, especially for treatment-naive patients. Further research is needed to confirm whether there is a direct causal relationship between CHM and the outcomes displayed.

Adjunctive Chinese Herbal Medicine therapy improves survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Despite good clinical results of current drugs, a good reason still exists to search for additional therapies for the management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) has thus far been overlooked by researchers and no data exists on the subject. We studied the impact of adjunctive CHM on the disease course of CML, using mortality as the major outcome measurement. We used the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database to perform a nationwide population-based cohort study. Our study included CML patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2010. We matched groups according to age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and use of imatinib, and compared the Hazard Ratios (HR) of CHM group and non-CHM users, as well as characterized trends of prescriptions used for treating CML. 1371 patients were diagnosed with CML in the years examined, of which 466 were included in to this study. We found that the HR of CHM group was significantly lower compared to non-CHM groups (0.32, 95% CI 0.22-0.48, P < 0.0001). We also established that this association between reduced HR was dose-dependent, and the longer CHM users received prescriptions, the lower the HR (P < 0.01). We also analyzed the most commonly used herbal products as well as the HR associated to their use, thus providing future research candidates. Our results supply a strong reason to assume that when administered by properly trained physicians, CHM may have a substantial positive impact on the management of CML.

Widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine among non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors

There are few studies examining complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and beliefs among non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors. Seven hundred and nineteen patients with NHL from the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Molecular Epidemiology Resource who completed the 3-year post-diagnosis questionnaire were included in this study. Altogether 636 (89%) reported ever using CAM, with 78% utilizing vitamins, 54% alternative therapies and 45% herbals. Female gender was associated with increased overall CAM use (p=0.0001) as well as use of vitamins (p=0.0001), herbals (p=0.006) and alternative therapy (p=0.0002) for cancer. Older age (>60) was associated with increased vitamin use (p=0.005) and decreased herbal use (p=0.008). Among users, 143 (20%) believed CAM assists healing, 123 (17%) believed CAM relieves symptoms, 122 (17%) believed CAM gives a feeling of control, 110 (15%) believed CAM assists other treatments, 108 (15%) believed CAM boosts immunity, 26 (4%) believed CAM cures cancer and 36 (5%) believed CAM prevents the spread of cancer.

Use of dietary supplements among people living with HIV/AIDS is associated with vulnerability to medical misinformation on the internet

Background

Use of dietary supplements is common among people living with HIV/AIDS. Because dietary supplements are used in the context of other health behaviors, they may have direct and indirect health benefits. However, supplements may also be associated with vulnerability to medical misinformation and unfounded health claims. We examined use of dietary supplements among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and the association between use of dietary supplements and believing medical misinformation.

Methods

A convenience sample of 268 men and 76 women living with HIV was recruited from AIDS services and clinics in Atlanta, GA. Participants completed measures of demographic and health characteristics, dietary supplement use, beliefs about dietary supplements, internet use, and an internet evaluation task designed to assess vulnerability to medical misinformation.

Results

One out of four PLWH currently used at least one dietary supplement product excluding vitamins. Dietary supplement use was associated with higher education and greater use of the internet for health-related information. Dietary supplement users also endorsed greater believability and trust in unfounded claims for HIV cures.

Conclusions

Dietary supplement use is common among PLWH and is associated with a broad array of health information seeking behaviors. Interventions are needed to reduce the vulnerability of PLWH, particularly dietary supplement users, to medical misinformation propagated on the internet.

Optimal management of older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: some facts and principles guiding therapeutic choices

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease of older patients and median age at diagnosis is 72 years. This older group is under-represented in clinical trials, (median age 58-62 years). Here we review background data on incidence, survival, definitions of older age, fitness criteria, frailty and co-morbidities. Issues influencing the choice of therapy in older patients are also addressed and different therapeutic options are highlighted based on recent available data. Fit older patients with less co-morbidities benefit most from the very effective chemoimmunotherapy (FC-R) given for younger patients today, but whether other novel drug combinations or new agents are more suitable for less fit patients is still unsettled. Based on careful evaluation of published data from larger clinical trials and major referral centers we present our concept of therapy as a guide to optimal management for subgroups of older patients with CLL.

Herbs in hemato-oncological care: an evidence-based review of data on efficacy, safety, and drug interactions

Herbal remedies are clearly a complementary and alternative modality used frequently by patients with hemato-oncological neoplasias during the course of their specific treatment. This review focuses on the potential safety and efficacy of herbs which are either used often or even on a daily basis by patients with hematological malignancies or indicated in the herbal pharmacopeias utilized by various traditional systems of medicine, in order to improve the well-being of patients with these cancers. Traditional medicine worldwide is a source for ongoing laboratory research related to the activity of herbs on cultured cell lines derived from patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Although the number of clinical studies in the field of hemato-oncology is limited, there appears to be potential efficacy in studies of mistletoe (Viscum album), green tea, Indian and Middle-Eastern spices, and some traditional Chinese, American, and European herbs. In addition to the potential efficacy of herbs, safety issues are also reviewed here, particularly, the documented and potential side effects, herb-drug interactions, and matters of quality control. Based on the above issues, the authors suggest enhancing doctor-patient communication regarding herbal use by adopting a patient-centered attitude based on scientific perspective.

Complementary and alternative medicine use among pediatric patients with leukemia: the case of Lebanon

BACKGROUND

International evidence indicates that caretakers of pediatric leukemia patients are increasingly using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Such a trend has never been substantiated in the Arab world.

OBJECTIVE

Examine the frequency, types, modes, and reasons of CAM use among pediatric leukemia patients in Lebanon.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was utilized to survey (by phone) the caregivers of all pediatric leukemia patients on the rosters of the 2 largest cancer treatment facilities in Lebanon for years 2005-2009. A total of 125 parents out of 175 (71.4%) completed the questionnaire, which included 3 sections: socio-demographic characteristics, clinical information and CAM use details. Data analysis employed univariate descriptive statistics, t-test, and χ(2)

RESULTS

Overall, 15.2% of respondents reported using one or more CAM therapies for their child (95% confidence interval: 8.9% to 22.0%). The main CAM therapies used included dietary supplements, prayer/spiritual healing, and unconventional cultural practices (ingesting bone ashes). CAM therapies were used for strengthening immunity (42.1%) and improving the chance of cure (21%). Pediatric users of CAM were 2 years older than nonusers and had been diagnosed with leukemia for a longer period of time (4.76 ± 3.24 vs 3.49 ± 2.38, P<.05). The percentage of males among CAM users was higher than that among nonusers (89.5% vs 56.6%, P<.05).

CONCLUSION

Increasing awareness of both caretakers and physicians of pediatric leukemia patients on the effects and risks of CAM therapies is essential should rational, safe, and evidence-based utilization of CAM therapies be achieved.

[Study of the health food information for cancer patients on Japanese websites]

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of websites providing health food information for cancer patients and, to assess the status to get this information online. We used four common Japanese search engines (Yahoo!, Google, goo, and MSN) to look up websites on Dec. 2, 2008. The search keywords were "health food" and "cancer". The websites for the first 100 hits generated by each search engine were screened and extracted by three conditions. We extracted 64 unique websites by the result of retrieval, of which 54 websites had information about health food factors. The two scales were used to evaluate the quality of the content on 54 websites. On the scale of reliability of information on the Web, the average score was 2.69+/-1.70 (maximum 6) and the median was 2.5. The other scale was matter need to check whether listed to use safely this information. On this scale, the average score was 0.72+/-1.22 (maximum 5) and the median was 0. Three engines showed poor correlation between the ranking and the latter score. But several websites on the top indicated 0 score. Fifty-four websites were extracted with one to four engines and the average number of search engines was 1.9. The two scales were positively correlated with the number of search engines, but these correlations were very poor. Ranking high and extraction by multiple search engines were of minor benefit to pick out more reliable information.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients attending a UK headache clinic

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken in order to determine the extent of the use of CAM in a UK headache clinic.

DESIGN

Ninety-two patients attending a headache clinic were given a questionnaire containing questions regarding their headaches and their use of CAM for headaches.

SETTING

Outpatient headache clinic, Birmingham, UK. Main outcome measures. The use of complementary and alternative therapies and predictive factors.

RESULTS

32% of respondents had used a median of 3 different CAM therapies for their headache. The commonest source of recommendation of CAM use was a friend or relative (72%) and the commonest reason given for using CAM was as a last resort after trying all conventional therapies offered (48%). CAM therapies were perceived as beneficial by 60% of CAM users and no users perceived the CAM therapy to worsen their headache. 42% of CAM users had not disclosed it to their doctor or nurse, 80% of these giving the reason that the doctor or nurse never asked, rather than fear of discouragement or lack of understanding. Individuals who were in employment were more likely to have used CAM than those who were not. Binary logistic regression revealed Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) score to be a significant predictor of CAM use (Odds Ratio=1.38 [95% CI 1.05-1.81]).

CONCLUSIONS

As a matter of desperation, headache clinic patients try CAM therapies. Health care professionals involved in the management of headache should be aware of this. There is a need for evaluation of the benefits and safety of CAM therapies for headache.

Is there a role for complementary therapy in the management of leukemia?

Patients with leukemia often seek additional treatments not prescribed by their oncologist in an effort to improve their cancer treatment outcome or to manage symptoms. Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments to decrease symptoms and side effects associated with cancer or cancer treatment, and to improve patients' overall quality of life. Complementary therapies are distinct from so-called 'alternative' therapies, which are unproven, ineffective and may postpone or interfere with mainstream cancer treatment. Complementary therapies are pleasant, inexpensive, nonpharmacologic and effective. For patients with leukemia, the complementary therapies that are always appropriate include mind-body interventions, such as self-hypnosis, meditation, guided imagery and breath awareness. Massage and reflexology (foot massage) decrease symptoms with effects lasting at least 2 days following treatment. Acupuncture is very beneficial for symptom management without adverse consequences. Physical fitness with regular exercise and healthy dietary habits can significantly decrease side effects of cancer treatments and may prolong survival. Botanical extracts and vitamin supplements may interfere with active cancer treatments, and should be discussed with the oncologist or pharmacist before use.