Francisco Portela1, Camila C Dias2, Paulo Caldeira3, Marilia Cravo4, João Deus5, Raquel Gonçalves6, Paula Lago7, Henrique Morna8, Paula Peixe9, Jaime Ramos10, Helena Sousa11, Lurdes Tavares12, Helena Vasconcelos13, Fernando Magro14, Paula Ministro15. 1. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: fasportela@gmail.com. 2. CIDES - Department of Health Information and Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal; CINTESIS - Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto, Portugal. 3. Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Algarve, Portugal. 4. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal. 5. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital Fernandes da Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal. 6. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal. 7. Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar Porto-Hospital Santo António, Portugal. 8. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital do Funchal, Funchal, Portugal. 9. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisboa, Portugal. 10. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital dos Capuchos, Lisboa, Portugal. 11. Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Algarve, Portugal; Biomedical Sciences and Medicine Department, University of Algarve, Portugal. 12. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal. 13. Serviço de Gastrenterologia, Hospital de Santo André, Leria, Portugal. 14. Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal; MedInUP - Centre for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto, Portugal. 15. Serviço Gastrenterologia, Centro Hospitalar de Tondela - Viseu, Viseu, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicines is increasing among chronic patients, particularly those afflicted with inflammatory bowel diseases. AIM: This study aimed to address the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines use among Portuguese inflammatory bowel diseases' patients. METHODS: Patients were invited to fill an anonymous questionnaire concerning the use of complementary and alternative medicines. RESULTS: Thirty-one per cent of the patients reported having used complementary and alternative medicines in the past, whereas 12% were using them by the time the questionnaire was administered. Fifty-nine per cent of the users did not share this information with their physician, whereas 14% and 8% discontinued their medication and periodical examination, respectively. Steroids prescription (OR=2.880) and a higher instruction level (OR=3.669) were predictors of complementary and alternative medicines use in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Roughly a third of Portuguese IBD patients had used CAM. Steroid treatment and an academic degree are associated with CAM use. Given the potential side effects and interactions, patient information about the benefits and limitations of conventional and complementary treatments should be reinforced.
BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicines is increasing among chronic patients, particularly those afflicted with inflammatory bowel diseases. AIM: This study aimed to address the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines use among Portuguese inflammatory bowel diseases' patients. METHODS:Patients were invited to fill an anonymous questionnaire concerning the use of complementary and alternative medicines. RESULTS: Thirty-one per cent of the patients reported having used complementary and alternative medicines in the past, whereas 12% were using them by the time the questionnaire was administered. Fifty-nine per cent of the users did not share this information with their physician, whereas 14% and 8% discontinued their medication and periodical examination, respectively. Steroids prescription (OR=2.880) and a higher instruction level (OR=3.669) were predictors of complementary and alternative medicines use in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Roughly a third of Portuguese IBDpatients had used CAM. Steroid treatment and an academic degree are associated with CAM use. Given the potential side effects and interactions, patient information about the benefits and limitations of conventional and complementary treatments should be reinforced.
Authors: Anna Fábián; Mariann Rutka; Tamás Ferenci; Renáta Bor; Anita Bálint; Klaudia Farkas; Ágnes Milassin; Kata Szántó; Zsuzsanna Lénárt; Ferenc Nagy; Zoltán Szepes; Tamás Molnár Journal: Gastroenterol Res Pract Date: 2018-04-03 Impact factor: 2.260