DeSalvo JC, et al. - Given the possible higher risk for natural product dietary supplements (NDS)-related side effects in patients with RA due to the underlying nature of the disease and frequent use of complex pharmaceutical regimens, researchers undertook a scoping review of the literature investigating population-based patterns of NDS use for RA self-management. Searching Allied and Complementary Medicine, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases, they included 23 studies, which were published between 1980 and 2015 and conducted in 11 countries. Patients with RA had an overall prevalence of NDS use of 47% worldwide, which did not differ by geographic region. NDS was identified as effective in 47% of patients while adverse side effects were reported in 13%. Only 30% were noted to have informed their physicians about the use of NDS, which in a majority of cases were used concomitantly with RA pharmaceuticals. The most commonly reported NDS worldwide were marine oils, glucosamine, vinegar, and chondroitin. In view of the apparent communication gap between patients and providers regarding NDS use and higher potential risks associated with this usage in RA, they favor ongoing surveillance of population-based practices in order to facilitate RA management and direct future NDS research.