Research ArticleOriginal Article
Open Access

Is non-traditional therapy for multiple sclerosis overwhelming in Saudi Arabia

Erum M. Shariff, Foziah J. Al-Shammrani, Saima Nazish, Azra S. Zafar, Rizwana M. Shahid, Inam E. Khuda, Mohammad A. Zeeshan, Majed A. Alabdali, Aishah I. Al-Bakr, Danah T. Aljaafari, Ibtesam O. Balharith, Ali A. Alahmed, Sadiq A. Alsalman, Alaa M. Almajed and Fahd A. Alkhamis
Neurosciences Journal July 2019, 24 (3) 192-198; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17712/nsj.2019.3.20180010

Article Figures & Data

Figures

Tables

  • Table 1

    Clinical and demographic characteristics of cases with MS (N=133).

    Characteristicsn (%)
    Gender
     Male49 (36.8)
     Female84 (63.2)
    Age (years) Mean±SD32.3±7.6 (18-56)
     <3051 (38.3)
     ≥3082 (61.7)
    Marital status
     Married62 (46.6)
     Unmarried71 (53.4)
    Educational level
     No education5 (3.8)
     Elementary2 (1.5)
     Middle5 (3.8)
     High28 (21)
     Graduate93 (69.9)
    Occupation
     Job71 (53.4)
     Business1 (0.8)
     Household18 (13.5)
     Student17 (12.8)
     Jobless25 (18.8)
    Diagnosis
     RRMS110 (82.7)
     PPMS16 (12)
     SPMS3 (2.3)
     CIS1 (0.8)
    Disease duration
     >10 years62 (45.9)
     5-10 years45 (33.8)
     <5 years25 (18.8)
    EDSS
     <2.551 (38.3)
     2.5-4.568 (51.1)
     >4.51014 (10.5)

    • MS - multiple sclerosis, SD - standard deviation, RRMS - Relapsing remitting multiple Sclerosis, PPMS - Primary progressive multiple sclerosis, SPMS - Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, CIS - clinically isolated syndrome, EDSS - extended disability status scale

  • Table 2

    The CAM use with and without conventional treatment.

    Variablesn (%)
    CAM used only18 (20)
    CAM use with conventional treatments81.98 (91)
    Total100 (111)

    • CAM - complementary and alternative medicine

  • Table 3

    Modes of CAM used by patients.

    Variablesn (%)
    Relaxation therapy/meditation14 (12.6)
    Support groups1 (0.9)
    Sound therapy2 (1.8)
    Cognitive-behavioral therapy/psychological1 (0.9)
    Yoga1 (0.9)
    Reflexology2 (1.8)
    Vitamins and minerals25 (22.5)
    Special dietary pattern (goat milk, salt-free, fat-free, gluten free, camel milk)8 (7.2)
    Energy medicine1 (0.9)
    Others
    Cupping (Hejama)23 (20.7)
    Acupuncture2 (1.8)
    Bee venom7 (6.3)
    prayers18 (16.2)
    Going to Sheikh6 (5.4)

    • CAM - complementary and alternative medicine.

  • Table 4

    Association of CAM use.

    CharacteristicsCAM useP-value
    YesNo
    n (%)
    Gender
     Male40 (36)9 (40.9)0.67
     Female71 (64)13 (59.1)
    Age (years)
     <3042 (37.8)8 (36.4)0.87
     ≥3068 (62.2)14 (63.6)
    Educational level
     No education4 (3.6)1 (4.5)0.75
     Elementary2 (1.8)0
     Middle5 (4.5)0
     High school22 (19.8)6 (27.3)
     Graduate/PG78 (70.3)15 (68.2)
    Disease duration
     >10 years47 (42.3)14 (63.6)0.32
     5-10 years39 (35.1)6 (27.3)
     <5 year23 (20.7)2 (9.1)
    EDSS
     <2.545 (40.5)6 (27.3)0.31
     2.5-4.556 (50.5)12 (54.5)
     >4.510 (9)4 (18.2)

    • CAM - complementary and alternative medicine, EDSS - extended disability status scale.

  • Table 5

    Associations of CAM disclosure.

    CharacteristicsDisclosure of CAMP-value
    Willing to tell only family members/friendsWilling to tell physiciansNot willing at all
    n (%)
    Gender
     Male7 (26.9)24 (46.2)9 (28.1)0.19
     Female19 (73.1)28 (53.8)23 (71.9)
    Age (years)
     <3012 (46.2)16 (31.4)14 (43.8)0.43
     >3014 (53.8)35 (68.6)18 (56.2)
    Marital status
     Married10 (38.5)26 (50)17 (53.1)0.52
     Unmarried16 (61.5)26 (50)15 (46.9)
    EDSS
     <2.511 (42.3)19 (36.5)15 (46.9)0.056
     2.5-4.512 (46.2%)28 (53.8)16 (50)
     >4.53 (11.5)5 (9.6)1 (3.1)

    • CAM - complementary and alternative medicine, EDSS - extended disability status scale

Back to top

In this issue

Print
Download PDF
Email Article
Citation Tools
Bookmark this article

Jump to section