Why Polish patients use vitamin drips services: results of a preliminary cross-sectional survey

Kamińśki, Mikołaj; Kręgielska-Narożna, Matylda; Soczewka, Monika; Bogdański, Paweł

doi:10.20452/pamw.15602

Cited by 2 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Interestingly, the reviews on Google maps profile were generally positive, which may suggest that consumers had a positive experience with the facilities. However, personal belief and subjective response to vitamin infusions require further research [2]. The social media profiles of the facilities offering parenteral supplementation might be a good platform to reach the consumers.…”

Section: Main Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…"Vitamin drips" and "vitamin injections" are complementary medicine services consisting of intravenous or subcutaneous administration of vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements [1,2]. In this paper, we used the term "parenteral supplementation" [2]. Firstly, most of the ingredients used in the "cocktails" are typical constituents of popular dietary supplements, e.g., minerals, vitamins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it did not stop companies or celebrities from promoting vitamin intravenous infusions as a panacea [1,7]. Despite the intensive promotion of parenteral supplementation, the phenomenon remains under-researched [2]. The medical, psychological, and legal aspects of commercial infusions are poorly investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The scientific reports and recommendations mainly concern the potential efficacy of the intervention using certain substances [10,11] or safety of the drips, in general [12]. Recently, we published the results of a cross-sectional survey study on the experience of Polish individuals using parenteral supplementation services [2]. Most of the respondents used parenteral supplementation to boost their immunity and endurance or deal with fatigue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics of Websites Presenting Parenteral Supplementation Services in Five European Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2020

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We aimed to characterize the parenteral supplementation services in Czechia, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom based on their websites. We generated a list of websites by searching Google using the term “vitamin infusion” and selected cities with 250,000 citizens from each analyzed country. All search inputs were performed using the native language. Data on the features of services, indications, contraindications, offered parenteral supplements, and social media activity were obtained. We analyzed 317 websites representing 371 active facilities. Only 6 (1.9%) facilities cited the scientific sources on parenteral supplementation, but these reference were highly biased; 17.4% did not provide information regarding their personnel, while 11.9% indicated the different contraindications. The most common indications were fatigue (62.5%), immunity enhancement (58.0%), anti-aging, and physical activity (51.5%). Approximately, 11.6% of facilities claimed that some parenteral supplements can help manage certain malignancies, while 2.2% claimed that they can help manage fertility problems. The most offered intravenous supplements were vitamins C (57.4%), B12 (47.7%), and B6 (42.3%). The parenteral supplementation market offers numerous ingredients as treatment for general health problems and serious health conditions. Many analyzed websites lacked essential information, which creates concerns for regarding the quality and reliability of the services.

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Section: Main Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics of Websites Presenting Parenteral Supplementation Services in Five European Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2020

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Health Professionals’ Perspectives on Commercially Available Intravenous Nutrient Therapies: A Preliminary Report

Karasiewicz,

Lipiak,

Jóźwiak

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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Background: Intravenous nutrient therapies (IVNTs) have gained popularity on the commercial market. Targeted at people with a variety of ailments and needs, the procedures allegedly offer numerous benefits and quick results, widely advertised on the websites of drip bars and health clinics as well as in the available literature. What is less often presented is the point of view of the customers of such services and the opinions of health personnel. Although the latter perspective seems to be crucial, little is known about it. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to present the opinions and experiences of health professionals (n = 188) on commercially available IVNTs dedicated to adults. Methods: The study was conducted between April 2019 and March 2020 by means of a survey using an ad hoc questionnaire made available mainly to health professionals attending public health postgraduate courses at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. Results: As many as 91.5% of the respondents had heard of commercially available IVNTs (mostly from the media), and 47.3% knew of a facility offering such services. Among the possible situations where the use of IVNTs would be justified, the most commonly mentioned was a diagnosed nutrient deficiency (37.8%), while the least common ones were libido problems (1.1%) and the need to speed up metabolism (2.1%). For 25.5% of the respondents, there was no good rationale for using IVNTs. As many as 15.4% had no opinion on the subject. Health risks of IVNTs were recognised by 95.2% of professionals, with the biggest concerns being the lack of full information on patients’ health status and medical contraindications (84%), the risk of overdose and interactions (77.1%), and hypersensitivity or allergic reactions (75.5%). Among the reasons for IVNTs’ popularity, the respondents listed not only fads spread by celebrities and social media (89.4%) and the need for quick, effortless remedies (77.1%), but also reasons inherent in the Polish healthcare system. As many as 80.3% of the respondents stressed the need for public health institutions to take a stand on commercial IVNTs. Knowing of an IVNT facility was not significantly associated with the opinions of professionals in key areas. Conclusion: Postgraduate public health courses are a good opportunity to engage health professionals in discussions about the current challenges, trends, and needs in the area of health promotion and healthcare. This study’s findings shed some light on the opinions about IVNTs held by health professionals, who are important stakeholders of the healthcare system. Thus, these findings may help to better understand the popularity of IVNTs and incorporate health professionals’ perspectives in future efforts aiming to increase the awareness of IVNT-related health risks among both professionals and patients.

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Why Polish patients use vitamin drips services: results of a preliminary cross-sectional survey

Cited by 2 publications

References 3 publications

Characteristics of Websites Presenting Parenteral Supplementation Services in Five European Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study

Characteristics of Websites Presenting Parenteral Supplementation Services in Five European Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study

Health Professionals’ Perspectives on Commercially Available Intravenous Nutrient Therapies: A Preliminary Report

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