Complementary and alternative medicine use among Turkish diabetes patients

SummaryObjectivesTo measure the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients with diabetes mellitus, to determine demographic characteristics making it more likely to using CAM, and to find out how benefits, if any, were perceived by patients.DesignA 24-item survey questionnaire administered to 371 return patients with diabetes mellitus.SettingOutpatient clinic of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism department of Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.Main outcome measuresQuestionnaire-based measures of demographics, motives, expectations, and effects of using CAM, and types and reported perceived benefits of CAM practiced on patients with diabetes mellitus.ResultsForty-one percent of patients (n = 152) used at least one of CAM practices; and age, birthplace, educational status, duration of diabetes and family type were significant factors in such behaviour.ConclusionsPatients born in cities, having more education and longer duration of diabetes, at relatively young ages and living in large families were more likely to use CAM. More than half of those using CAM (n = 80, 52.7%) reported as benefits the feelings of either strengthening of body, or being in good psychological condition, or disappearance of several symptoms.