Positive Health Online

Abstract

HILSDEN and colleagues, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada studied the use of complementary therapies by patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Background

Methodology

The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 134 patients with IBD (98 Crohns disease; 34 ulcerative colitis and 2 indeterminate) by means of a mailed structured questionnaire. The response rate was 70%. The use of complementary medicine by the respondents was examined using logistic regression. The second phase of the study explored the beliefs and perceptions of 14 users of complementary medicine, who were interviewed.

Results

51% of patients had used complementary therapies during the previous 2 years. 33% of patients were using complementary therapies currently, and one-half of these patients were using complementary therapies to manage their IBD. The most commonly reported therapies were the use of vitamins and herbal products . Two independent predictors of complementary medicine use were duration of disease greater than 10 years and history of hospitalisation. The most commonly cited reasons for seeking complementary medicine were side effects and lack of effectiveness of conventional treatment. 62% of these patients told their physicians about using complementary therapies.

Conclusion

Use of complementary medicine is common in patients suffering from IBD, particularly among patients with a longer duration of disease or history of hospitalisation.

References

Hilsden RJ et al. Complementary medicine use by patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol 93(5): 697-701. May 1998.