Abstract
BACKGROUND: Natural health products have emerged as a potential symptomatic therapeutic approach for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of natural health product use, interest in natural health products, awareness of potential herb-drug interactions, and consultation of healthcare professionals regarding natural health products use among people with PD. METHODS: Cross-sectional 4-item survey embedded in the PRIME-NL study, which is a population-based cohort of PD. RESULTS: Of 367 people with PD, 36% reported having used natural health products to alleviate PD-related symptoms, with coffee, cannabis and turmeric being the most popular. Furthermore, 71% of people with PD were interested in learning more about natural health products. 39% of natural health products users were aware that these products could interact with PD medication and 39% had discussed their use with their healthcare professional. CONCLUSIONS: Natural health products are commonly used to alleviate symptoms by people with PD, but most users are unaware that these products can interact with PD medication and do not discuss their consumption with their healthcare professional.