Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Around the World

Use of complementary sand alternative medicine (CAM) is common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CAM can be broadly categorized as whole medical systems, mind-body interventions, biologically based therapies, manipulative and body-based methods, and energy therapies. Most do not use it to treat IBD specifically, and most take it as an adjunct to conventional therapy not in place of it. However, patients are frequently uncomfortable initiating a discussion of CAM with their physicians, which may impact adherence to conventional therapy. A greater emphasis on CAM in medical education may facilitate patient-physician discussions regarding CAM.