The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with diabetes mellitus in Bahrain: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundCAM use is widespread, especially among patients with diabetes. The Gulf States have a high prevalence of diabetes, alongside a long tradition of CAM use. The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of CAM use among patients with diabetes mellitus in Bahrain and to examine the characteristics of the CAM users.MethodsA questionnaire was developed and administered to a convenience sample of patients with diabetes (n = 402) above the age of 20 attending two hospital diabetes clinics. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests of association.Results63% of responders utilized CAM within the previous 12 months. CAM users were more likely to be female, to have had diabetes for longer and to have complications of their diabetes. 64% of CAM users stated that they had used CAM for managing their diabetic condition, with 46% of these having used it solely for their diabetes. Respondents using CAM to manage their diabetes were more likely to be male, to be using CAM on a daily basis and to have informed their physician of their CAM use.ConclusionsThere is a high rate of CAM use in patients with diabetes attending two hospital diabetes clinics in Bahrain. There is also a high rate of non-disclosure of CAM use to physicians. There is a continuing need for health professionals to be more aware and better trained in order to inform their decision making and communication related to CAM use.

Diabetes Mellituslu Hastaların Tamamlayıcı ve Alternatif Tedavileri Kullanma Durumları ve Diyabet Tutumları İle İlişkisi

“…Çalışmamıza katılan hastaların TAT kullanım oranlarının %48.1 olduğu belirlenmiştir Ülkemizde yapılan çalışma-larda, diyabetli hastalarda TAT kullanma oranları %18.5-70.5 (5,12,20,21); farklı ülkelerde yapılan çalışmalarda ise diyabetli hastalarda TAT kullanım oranları %38.1-63 arasında değişmektedir (22)(23)(24). TAT kullanım oranları arasındaki bu farklılığın, yaşanılan toplumun TAT'a iliş-kin değerlerinin, inançlarının, kültürel özelliklerinin ve TAT kapsamında düşündükleri uygulamaların farklı olmasından kaynaklandığı belirtilmektedir (5,22,23).…”

Use of traditional medicine among type 2 diabetic Libyans

“…In Tunisia, Libya's immediate neighbour, a clinic-based study among diabetes patients reported 23% of patients used herbal remedies for blood sugar control (11). However, higher figures were found among diabetic patients in other Arab countries, such as 41.7% in Egypt (27), 51.9% in Palestine (10), 63% in Bahrain (16) and 54.8% in Morocco (28). Generally, the differences in the definition of traditional medicine use across studies prevent precise comparisons of traditional medicine use rates.…”

“…These include practices like al-hijama (wet cupping), and al-ruqyah, which is an Islamic-based spiritual practice usually done by reciting some verses from the Quran or dua (supplications) from the sunnah. Correspondingly, prevalent use of traditional medicine by diabetes patients has been reported in some Arab countries (16)(17)(18). The Middle East and North Africa region has the highest estimate rate of diabetes in the world (19).…”

An Evaluation on Levels of Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of People at 65 Years and Above About Alternative Medicine Living in Ankara

“…In the study performed by Neto et al (2009), it was concluded that use of complementary and alternative medicine had a positive relationship with gender, territory, income, educational and marital status. In the study performed by Khalaf and Whitford (2010) concerning the use of CAM among patients with diabetes, it was found that in the two diabetes clinics in Bahrain, the use of CAM among patients with diabetes was profoundly high. In the study performed by Richmond et.…”