To describe the prevalence and characteristics of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) practice and product use by the population of the UK providing up-to-date data on the landscape of TCIM use in the UK.

A cross-sectional online survey, administered using the Qualtrics platform, among adults (aged 18 years and over) residing in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland). Data were collected between May and October 2024. The 40-item instrument covered four domains: demographics, health status, use of health products and practices, and use of health services. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise survey responses, and ² tests were applied to assess associations between participant characteristics and TCIM use. Backwards stepwise logistic regression was conducted to identify predictors of TCIM use across four outcome categories (p≤0.05).

The sample (n=1559) was broadly representative of the UK population. Prevalence of any TCIM use over a 12-month period was 65.9% with 19.1% consulting a TCIM practitioner and 63.3% using any TCIM product or practice. Bodywork therapists (massage therapists 9.4%, chiropractors 7.9%, yoga teachers 5.0%) and homeopaths (4.1%) were the most commonly consulted TCIM practitioners and Anthroposophic doctors were the least commonly consulted (2.1%). Among TCIM products, vitamin and mineral supplements were the most commonly used (37.3%) and relaxation or meditation practices were reported by 19.4% of respondents. TCIM users were more likely to be female, identify as Asian or Black, have a chronic disease diagnosis, report good health, possess private health insurance, have a higher education level, be employed (or seeking employment) and sometimes experience financial management difficulties.

There is substantial use of TCIM across the UK adult population and there is a need for more research on integrating TCIM into mainstream healthcare and the National Health Service. Clear strategies are necessary to enhance communication between TCIM and conventional healthcare providers, ensure patient safety and promote person-centred, coordinated models of care.

This study aimed to describe the epidemiology, outcomes and costs of four immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IMIRDs)—systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS)—in Brazil’s public and private healthcare systems from 2018 to 2022.

Retrospective observational study.

The study was conducted across hospital and outpatient levels of care in Brazil, based on nationwide data representing the public (Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System—DATASUS) and private (National Supplementary Health Agency—ANS) healthcare sectors.

The study analysed data from four distinct systems: 609 427 patients from the public Outpatient Information System (SIA), 32 119 patients from the public Hospital Information System (SIH), 19 083 deaths from the public Mortality Information System (SIM) and 11 846 hospitalisations from the private healthcare system (ANS).

RA had the highest incidence, ranging from 19.9 to 24.9 per 100 000, while SLE remained stable (6.3–6.7 per 100 000). Prevalence increased for all diseases: RA rose from 95.7 to 136.8, SLE from 23.4 to 38.9, AS from 15.0 to 23.6 and PsA from 10.8 to 17.4 per 100 000. SLE had the highest hospitalisation (7.2%) and lethality rates (8.7%), along with the highest average outpatient cost (US$440.9 per patient). In the private system, RA and SLE accounted for the most hospitalisations (36.3% each). SLE had the highest proportion of emergency hospitalisations (70.5%), while PsA had the highest proportion of elective hospitalisations (61.8%).

RA had the highest prevalence and incidence rates among the studied IMIRDs, while SLE was associated with the highest lethality, outpatient costs and emergency hospitalisations. The rising prevalence of these diseases highlights their growing burden on Brazil’s healthcare systems.

NCT06698900.