Complementary and alternative medicine use by patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming increasingly popular in North America. The use of CAM is also popular in patients with chronic liver disease but is not well documented. The extent of use of CAM in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients was determined, and the demographic and clinical data between users and nonusers of CAM was compared.

Seventy-six patients (30% female) with chronic HCV were interviewed. The mean age was 43±8 years. Current use of CAM for HCV was reported by 35 of 76 patients (46%). Eighteen of 76 patients within this group used herbal supplements (24%). The most commonly used herb was Silybum marianum (milk thistle), reported by 10 of 76 patients (13.2%). Commonly reported benefits of CAM use included reduction in fatigue, boost in the immune system and improved gastrointestinal function. No adverse effects of CAM use were reported. In the present study, four of 18 patients (22%) with chronic liver disease taking herbal therapies were on herbs that increased bleeding time.

The use of CAM in chronic HCV patients is significant. Patients should be asked specifically about their use of CAM. CAM use may have implications affecting conventional treatment and management of HCV.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing in usage and popularity across North America (1). In the United States, the rates of CAM use among the general population have risen from 34% in 1991 to 42% in 1997 (2). In Canada, the rates of CAM use have risen from 33% in 1997 to 43% in 1999 among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (3). CAM includes use of natural health products such as vitamins, homeopathic remedies, traditional therapies and herbal medicines (4). In a recent literature review (5), over 50% of patients that required health care used CAM either in conjunction with, or separate from, conventional health care.

There are two broad categories of CAM therapies: exogenous chemicals such as herbal supplements, vitamins or plant extracts, and natural or self therapies (NST) – techniques including relaxation, meditation or physical strengthening.

Despite increasing patient usage of CAM, the majority of physicians are not trained or knowledgeable in this area. The rate of nondisclosure of CAM use to physicians is as high as 77% (6). This situation is compounded by the fact that patients are not routinely asked about CAM use by their physicians. Neglecting to inquire about CAM may have dire consequences because certain therapies can have serious side effects or interact with other drugs (7,8).

There is ample literature examining CAM use in chronic diseases, such as IBD (3,9,10), but it is sparse regarding liver disease and specifically hepatitis C virus (HCV). In one study (11) involving liver disease and CAM, up to 39% of patients attending liver disease clinics admitted to using some form of CAM at least once during the preceding month. The average use of CAM in liver disease patients was reported to be 41% (range 33% to 75%) in a study involving six different institutions (12). A study in Florida (13) showed 43% of patients who used CAM used it for liver disease. One study that specifically surveyed clinic patients (14) found that of 37% of patients that had used or were using CAM, 20% were using the CAM therapy because of chronic hepatitis and 17% were using it for other reasons. The use of CAM for liver disease may actually be higher outside western populations; a study (15) looking at CAM use in Taiwanese patients found as many as 66% of patients used CAM.

HCV is a serious worldwide problem. In Canada, the current mortality figures may double in the next 10 years (16). We know there is a general use of CAM in Canada but its use in liver disease, specifically HCV, is unknown.

METHODS

Participants

Patients were recruited from the viral hepatitis clinic at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The clinic is run using a collaborative model, and includes a nurse practitioner and hepatologist. It serves the greater Halifax Regional Municipality and most of Nova Scotia. Annually, approximately 200 new HCV-infected patients are referred there. They receive over 1000 clinic visits by HCV-infected patients each year. All attending the clinic were eligible to participate in the study. Over a three-week period, the CAM Questionnaire (Appendix) was incorporated into the routine interview of patients seen in the clinic by the nurse practitioner or physician.

Data collection

The questionnaire created for the study was similar to other published surveys of CAM use (10). Data were gathered on patient demographics, education and annual household income. Patients were also asked which symptoms associated with HCV they experienced. Characteristics of each patient’s liver disease, conventional HCV treatment used (interferon-based regimens), the current use and perceived effects of CAM, vitamin supplements, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications were also reviewed (Appendix).

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics (mean, SD, range and proportions) were used to describe each variable. All variables were entered into multivariate regression to identify independent associations with the use of either CAM or herbal therapies. The strength of association between variables was measured with OR and associated 95% CI. Statistical significance was demonstrated by CIs that did not include unity, or by a P<0.05 calculated using the Student’s t test. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab software version 14 (Minitab Inc, USA).

RESULTS

Demographics of the sampled population

The characteristics of the 76 patients with chronic HCV who completed the questionnaire are summarized in Table 1. Twenty-three were women (30%) and 53 were men (70%). The mean age of the study participants was 43±8 years (range 25 to 66 years). The education levels varied throughout the sampled population. Twenty-nine patients (38%) had high school education, 32 (42%) had post secondary education and 15 (20%) had college or university education. The annual household income was less than $15,000 in 33 patients (43%) and greater than $45,000 in 19 patients (25%).

TABLE 1.

Summary of patient population characteristics

Characteristic
Sex
Male	53 (70)
Female	23 (30)
Age, years	43±8 (25–66)
Education
High school	29 (38)
Post secondary	32 (42)
College or university	15 (20)
Household income:
<$15,000	33 (43)
$15,000 – $30,000	10 (13)
$30,000 – $45,000	14 (18)
$45,000 – $75,000	14 (18)
>$75,000	5 (7)
Symptoms
Fatigue	52 (68)
Headache	22 (29)
Right upper quadrant pain	20 (26)
Irritability	20 (26)
Arthralgia	16 (21)
Nausea	12 (16)
Myalgia	12 (16)
Anorexia	6 (8)
HCV descriptions
HCV PCR positive	76 (100)
Time from diagnosis of HCV (years)	3.8±2.7 (1–10)
Undergone liver biopsy	48 (63)
Stage of liver fibrosis by METAVIR
Stage 0	3 (6)
Stage 1	5 (10)
Stage 2	18 (38)
Stage 3	11 (23)
Stage 4	11 (23)
Complete blood count
WBC	6.0±2.0 (2.0–11.2)
Hemoglobin (g/L)	143±15 (111–176)
Platelet count	201±71 (43–417)
Liver enzymes
Alkaline phosphatase (U/L)	81±33 (35–232)
Alanine aminotransferase (U/L)	79±58 (15–408)
Aspartate aminotransferase (U/L)	62±54 (13–345)
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (U/L)	156±205 (25–916)
Liver function tests
Total bilirubin (μmol/L)	13±5 (4–35)
Albumin (g/L)	42±7 (14–77)
International normalized ratio	1.0±0.2 (0.8–1.5)
Treatments
Patients on prescribed medications not for HCV	41 (54)
Patients on specific therapies for HCV	26 (34)
Patients on CAM therapies	35 (46)

Units expressed in n (%) or mean ± SD (range). CAM Complementary and alternative medicine; HCV Hepatitis C virus, PCR Polymerase chain reaction, WBC White blood cells

Symptoms experienced by patients were reported as being either present or absent. The symptoms could be caused by the HCV, side effects of medications or by other concurrent pathologies. Fatigue was reported by 52 patients (68%), and irritability was reported by 20 patients (26%). Headaches were reported by 22 patients (29.0%), while arthralgia was reported by 16 patients (21%). Nausea, right upper quadrant pain, myalgia and anorexia were reported by 12 (16%), 20 (26%), 12 (16%) and six (8%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of these symptoms was comparable to frequencies that were recently published by researchers identifying symptom clustering in HCV-infected subjects (17).

Twenty patients (26%) had either been or were on a combination of alpha-interferon and ribavirin. Forty-one patients (54%) were taking one or more prescribed medications for treatment of diseases other than HCV. These included anxiolytics and antidepressants, thyroid replacements, bronchodilators and antihypertensive medications.

HCV-related liver disease descriptions

All 76 patients tested positive for HCV by polymerase chain reaction. The average time from diagnosis of HCV was 3.8 years (range one to 10 years). Mean liver enzyme counts were: 81±33 U/L for alkaline phosphatase, 79±58 U/L for alanine aminotransferase, 62±54 U/L for aspartate aminotransferase and 156±205 U/L for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.

Liver function tests for total bilirubin averaged 13±5 μmol/L. Albumin averaged 42±7 g/L and international normalized ratio (INR) for prothrombin time averaged 1.0±0.2.

Liver biopsy had been performed in 48 patients (63%). According to the METAVIR fibrosis staging system, three patients (6%) had no fibrosis (stage 0), five (10%) had stage 1, 18 (38%) had stage 2, 11 (23%) had stage 3 and 11 (23%) had cirrhosis (stage 4).

CAM therapies

Current CAM use was reported by 35 of 76 patients (46%). CAM use included the use of vitamins or minerals, herbal supplements or NST. Use of CAM among the 20 patients on antiviral therapy was significantly higher than use among other patients (58%, P=0.117).

The overall satisfaction level for all types of CAM use was very high. No patients reported that any of the CAM therapies worsened their condition. Seventeen of 28 (61%) CAM users commented that therapy use left their condition unchanged. Six users (21%) felt the therapy made them better and five users (18%) believed CAM use made them significantly better.

Qualitative perceived effects of CAM use included eight of 20 respondents (40%) commenting that the CAM therapy either had no effect or they were not sure of any change. Three respondents (15%) said their current use of CAM therapy improved or was good for their immune system. Six (30%) said the therapy reduced fatigue or increased energy, and two (10%) said CAM made them psychologically better or more at peace. Most of the 25 patients using CAM therapy reported spending less than $50 per month on CAM. Only one patient (4%) was spending $50 to $100 per month on CAM.

Twenty-one of 76 patients (28%) used vitamin or mineral supplements (Table 2). This category included one patient (5%) using beta carotene, 17 patients (81%) on multi- or single vitamins, two patients (10%) on selenium and seven patients (33%) on mineral supplements. Twenty patients took vitamin or mineral supplements for an average period of 16 months. Of these patients taking vitamins, minerals or oils, one patient (5%) took them for three months, eight patients (40%) for six months, four patients (20%) for 12 months, four patients (20%) for 24 months, two patients (10%) for 36 months, and one patient (5%) for 48 months.

TABLE 2.

Complementary and alternative medicine use

Vitamin or mineral supplements, n=21
Multiple or single vitamins	17 (81)
Minerals	7 (33)
Selenium	2 (10)
Beta-carotene	1 (5)
Herbal supplements, n=18
Milk thistle	10 (56)
Evening primrose oil	3 (17)
Glucosamine supplements	2 (11)
Ginseng	2 (11)
Licorice	1 (6)
Dandelion	1 (6)
Echinacea	1 (6)
Ginkgo biloba	1 (6)
Other (barley green, lutein, grape seed, alfalfa, garlic)	5 (28)
Natural self treatments, n=14
Meditation	8 (57)
Acupuncture	8 (57)
Prayer	4 (29)
Massage	1 (7)
Aromatherapy	1 (7)
Other (exercise, relaxation, wellness programs, group counselling)	8 (57)

Units expressed in n (%)

The patients taking herbal supplements totalled 18 of 76 (24%). There was no difference in use of herbal supplements between those subjects on antiviral therapy for HCV (27%) and those naïve to HCV therapy (20%), P=0.521. The most frequently used herbal supplement was milk thistle, used by 10 of 18 patients (56%). Seventeen patients took herbs for an average period of four months. Of these patients taking herbal supplements, three patients (18%) had taken them for one month, two patients (12%) for two months, nine patients (53%) for three months, one patient (6%) for four months, one patient (6%) for five months, and one patient (6%) for 24 months.

While 13 of 18 patients (72%) reported using a single type of herbal supplement, three patients (17%) reported combining two herbal supplements and another two patients (11%) reported taking three types of supplements at the same time. The most common source of herbal supplements was a pharmacy or grocery store (83%, 15 patients). Only three patients (17%) reported obtaining herbal therapy directly from an alternative therapy practitioner.

The majority of patients (68%, n=17) taking herbal, vitamin or mineral supplements reported nutrition/supplement stores as their main sources of knowledge or information for CAM therapies. The Internet was the main source for four patients (16%), books for two patients (8%), alternative medicine practitioner for one patient (4%) and a specialist for one patient (4%). No patients reported their family physician as a source of knowledge or information on CAM therapy.

Fourteen of 76 study participants reported using NST (18%). The most common NST therapies reported by HCV patients included: prayer, used by four (29%); meditation, used by eight (57%); and acupuncture, used by eight (57%).

Predictors for use of CAM therapies

Multivariate stepwise regression was carried out to see if patients using CAM therapy or herbal remedies had any common independent predictors. CAM use was independently associated only with serum albumin and level of education. However, when entered into a logistic regression equation, neither of those factors were significant (Table 3). This may be due to the broad spectrum of interventions defined as CAM.

TABLE 3.

Binary logistic regression for independent variables associated with use of all complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and use of herbal therapy only

Variable	Coefficient (± SE)	Odds ratio (95% CI)	P
For CAM use
Albumin	0.054±0.039	1.06 (0.98 to 1.14)	0.165
Education level	0.65±0.34	1.92 (0.99 to 3.70)	0.053
For herbal therapy use
Headache	1.86±0.71	6.40 (1.60 to 25.52)	0.009
Education level	0.79±0.40	2.21 (1.02 to 4.80)	0.045
Arthralgia	1.08±0.83	0.34 (0.07 to 1.73)	0.193
Anorexia	1.50±1.24	0.22 (0.02 to 2.53)	0.225

On the other hand, use of herbal therapies was independently associated with the presenting complaint of headache, higher education level, and absence of arthralgia and anorexia. Table 3 shows that headache is a presenting symptom and higher level of education were the only statistically significant factors that predicted herbal supplement use.

DISCUSSION

In our study of 76 HCV patients, we found that a total of 46% were using CAM therapies. This was probably a conservative estimation of the real extent of CAM use by patients infected with HCV because past use of CAM therapies was not evaluated.

It is difficult to compare rates of CAM use among studies, because different definitions of CAM are used. Some may disagree with the inclusion of vitamins, while others may argue against inclusion of exercise and prayer (18). In spite of this limitation, a Canadian study from Calgary (19) looking at IBD found that the most common therapies used by patients were vitamin products, herbs and dietary manipulations. We found similar results, with vitamins being used the most often at 28%, followed by herbal therapies at 24% and NST at 18%.

Our study was conducted on a specialty clinic population. Previously published studies regarding CAM use also recruited their patients from those attending specialty clinics (18–20). It is unclear if seeking medical attention changes patient perception or behaviour regarding CAM use. Patients attending HCV clinics are usually there because they have active disease, see potential benefit from conventional medicine and are comfortable within a conventional medicine framework (3). To avoid these drawbacks, other studies have assessed CAM use in selected patient populations by using large mail-out surveys (21) or Internet questionnaires (3). These methods allow broader sampling of patients and may be a desirable structure for conducting future investigations into CAM use for HCV. In spite of the present study’s limitations, conclusions from those large general population-based surveys found similar rates of use (61.2% use of herbal therapies over a 12-month period) (21).

CAM is perceived by users to be beneficial, safe and without side effects, thus giving justification for patients to use it (3). Therefore, it is not surprising that adverse effects were rarely reported. However, CAM therapies can have significant interactions with deleterious effects. Herbal supplements such as garlic, ginkgo and ginseng can interfere with coagulation processes and therefore increase bleeding times (22–24). Because serious bleeding events have been reported (25), patients undergoing invasive disease interventions, such as surgery or liver biopsy, may risk the possibility of excessive bleeding or hemorrhage. In the present study, four of 18 patients (22%) taking herbal therapies were on herbs that increased bleeding time (two on ginseng, one on Ginkgo biloba and one on garlic pills). Patients need to be questioned about their use of herbal therapies before invasive procedures.

There are additional benefits for inquiring about CAM use. CAM use may indicate a patient’s desire for increased control and treatment as a ‘whole person’ rather than as having a ‘diseased organ’ (26). This is an important concept for conventional health care providers caring for patients with chronic diseases (3).

Benefits of CAM therapies in liver disease and HCV

Many alternative therapies are used to treat liver disease; however, none of these therapies have proven to work in all cases (27). Silymarin, extracted from the milk thistle, is the most widely subscribed remedy for liver disease and HCV. Previous studies reported its benefit for patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (28). Only rare cases of gastrointestinal disturbances and allergic skin rashes have been reported (29).

Silymarin may have a role in the treatment of HCV in combination with alpha-interferon (30). Perceived benefits from CAM therapy include more energy and reduction in fatigue, as well as ‘positive effects’ on the immune system. In a systematic review (30), 27 eligible randomized clinical trials were located involving herbal products and supplements for patients with HCV. In 14 of the trials, patients received interferon in combination with the complementary therapy. Compared with the control group, significant improvements in virological and/or biochemical response were seen in trials of vitamin E, thyme extract, zinc, traditional Chinese medicine (with acupuncture), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root extract) and oxymatrine (30).

Glycyrrhizin has also been shown to reduce and normalize liver enzymes, while St John’s wort and ginger decrease side effects from interferon therapy (29). Yet another paper (31) concluded that based on current evidence, the use of herbal supplements for the routine treatment of any chronic liver disease could not be recommended and that further well-designed clinical trials are necessary. An extensive review (32) concluded that there is no firm evidence of efficacy of any medicinal herbs used to treat HCV infection. In our own practice, use of CAM is not discouraged as long as the intervention is safe, inexpensive and helpful in achieving clinical objectives such as adherence to antiviral therapy for HCV.

Predictors of CAM use

Patients often do not disclose use of CAM to their medical practitioners because of concerns about a possible negative response by the practitioners, the belief that the practitioner did not need to know about their CAM use and the fact that their practitioner did not ask (6).

Knowing predictors of CAM use may be helpful in alerting physicians to inquire about CAM use. Based on our study, a higher education level was the only predictor for use of CAM and herbal remedies. This finding is similar to other studies that specifically looked into predictors of CAM use. A Spanish study (15) identified sex (women), higher education, and being divorced or widowed as major predictors for use of CAM. In a North American study (14), CAM use was associated with being young and not retired, and was associated with perceived rewards. The study also found the commonly used therapies depended on the geographical location of the patient, the education level, sex, age and the disease the patient was trying to treat as well available services and cultural influences.

CONCLUSION

The goal of the present study was to identify what CAM therapies patients infected with HCV were using. It is well known from surveys of the general population that CAM use is common and that patients generally combine CAM with conventional medicine rather than abandoning conventional therapy in favour of CAM (2,33). Based on our study of selected populations infected with HCV, we confirmed the prevalent use of CAM. Health care providers should regularly ask patients about CAM use.

APPENDIX: COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE QUESTIONNAIRE