Complementary and alternative medicines among people living with HIV: results from the CAMPER study

Background: We analyzed the prevalence of complementary/alternative medicines (CAM) in people living with HIV (PLWH) and effects on immunovirological response, treatment adherence, and quality of life (QoL). Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional observational study involving PLWH who were stably on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) between 2018 and 2019. Participants completed a modified International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q). CAM use was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were implemented to study factors associated. Results: CAM use (predominantly vitamins and dietary supplements: 64.2%) was reported by 38.5% of the 548 participants. Higher CAM use was noted in men who have sex with men, Caucasians, people with hepatitis C virus, and those with higher level of education. 76.3% used CAM for a better well-being, energy restoration, and aesthetic purposes. Multivariable analysis identified ethnicity, HIV acquisition route, HCV status, level of education, plasma undetectability and cardiovascular diseases as significant factors influencing CAM use. Immunovirological response, treatment adherence, and QoL were not significantly different between CAM users and non-users. Conclusions: The study highlighted a high prevalence of CAM use in PLWH, revealing no adverse effects on treatment efficacy or clinical outcomes. Demographic factors influence CAM use, underscoring the need for healthcare providers to explore CAM use, promoting information and safe care.