Alternative Medicine Use by Canadian Ambulatory Gastroenterology Patients: Secular Trend or Epidemic?

Abstract

AM was used by 52.5% of gastroenterology outpatients and its use was greater in those with a higher level of education, comorbid conditions, poorer mental health-related quality of life, and higher income. Drug-related side effects also led to increased AM use.

Probiotic and prebiotic use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

“…A wide range of CAMs were inquired about; however, therapies recorded in previous studies that are not generally considered to be CAM (e.g., prayer, weight loss) 33,38,39,44,46 and therefore may inflate the prevalence of CAM use 61 were not included. Therefore, this finding appears to represent a genuinely high rate of CAM use in IBD patients and controls.…”

“…However, the patients in the current study spent less on probiotics than a recent estimate of general CAM expenditure by IBD patients. 44 However, comparisons of expenditure are limited by differing currencies, timeframes (e.g., costs per year 29,38,39 ), and variation in cost of CAMs in different countries. 47 Notwithstanding the costs, almost half of all probiotic users were unable to identify associated health benefits.…”

“…5 In addition, previous studies have shown that 15%-55% of IBD CAM users do not discuss their use with mainstream health professionals involved with their care. 30,38,40,43,44 Consequently, if IBD patients use probiotics and prebiotics they may do so without the knowledge of their healthcare teams.…”

When one door closes, another door opens: Physician availability and motivations to consult complementary and alternative medicine providers

“…Several studies indicate that CAM use may be motivated by dissatisfaction with a variety of conventional care dimensions, 23 and dissatisfaction with conventional care in general. [24][25] Although dissatisfaction has been implicated in motivating CAM use, the weight of the current evidence suggests that it may be most important for understanding initial CAM use.…”

Impact of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory, in controlling intestinal factors contributing to inflammatory bowel disease.

“…Other potential benefits from EGCG stem from its ability to reduce MMP9 production (an early manifestation of and possible precipitator of inflammation) and improve the quality of the mucin layer by enhancing mucin 1 production to assist with mucosal healing through effects of lamina propria produced IL-22 (Nishida, Lau et al 2012). These data, plus additional data preparations currently available, up to 35% of patients fail to respond initially and 20% of responders lose efficacy over time (Howell 2008 (Hilsden, Scott et al 1998, Ganguli, Cawdron et al 2004). …”