Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use among osteoarthritis patients in a developing country and their level of satisfaction.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to nonconventional methods used to treat diseases and has been gaining global acceptance, including in Palestine. The growing interest in CAM and its various modalities highlights the need to understand its prevalence, types, and associated patient satisfaction among osteoarthritis (OA) patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among OA patients attending hospitals in the study setting. Eligible participants were interviewed face-to-face via a structured questionnaire adapted from a previous regional study and developed on the basis of a comprehensive literature review. The data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, CAM use, and satisfaction levels. Of the 399 participants, 252 (63.2%) reported using CAM for OA management. Commonly used therapies include herbal medicine (49.9%), dietary supplements (26.6%), and various forms of prophetic medicine. Most CAM users reported a noticeable level of satisfaction with the therapies they used. CAM use is prevalent among OA patients in northern Palestine. This highlights the need to increase public awareness of CAM practices and their potential interactions with conventional treatments. Healthcare providers should stay informed about CAM options to guide patients appropriately. Further research is needed to establish stronger evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of CAM.