Title |
Complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes (CALMIND) – a prospective study
|
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Published in |
Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, January 2015
|
DOI | 10.1515/jcim-2014-0038 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Aaron C. Tan, Jenson C.S. Mak |
Abstract |
Abstract Background: This study aims to further elucidate the demographic and diabetes characteristics of diabetic patients in Australia who use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 149 patients with diabetes attending a general endocrine clinic in a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia. Results: Thirty-seven patients (25%) stated they had used CAM therapies within the past 5 years. Vitamins (53%) were the most common CAM therapy used. A greater number of CAM nonusers reported calf pain whilst walking (21% vs. 9%, p=0.051), and HbA1c values were lower for CAM nonusers (7.7% vs. 8.1%, p=0.057). Amongst CAM users, a majority of patients (85%) did not consult with their specialist or general practitioner prior to starting CAM therapy. Conclusions: With the increasing burden of diabetes, health practitioners will need to be more vigilant and understanding of the potential impact of CAM use on diabetes management. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 1 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 1 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 1 | 5% |
Unknown | 20 | 95% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 3 | 14% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 3 | 14% |
Student > Bachelor | 3 | 14% |
Lecturer | 2 | 10% |
Researcher | 2 | 10% |
Other | 6 | 29% |
Unknown | 2 | 10% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Nursing and Health Professions | 5 | 24% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 4 | 19% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 2 | 10% |
Business, Management and Accounting | 1 | 5% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 1 | 5% |
Other | 4 | 19% |
Unknown | 4 | 19% |