The Use of Herbal Supplements of Diyabetic Patients Attending the University Hospital in Hatay, Endocrine Polyclinic

Abstract

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS USE IN DIABETIC PATIENTSAbstractAim: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has recently become more and more widespread around the world. CAM is a broad term that refers to all the medical healthcare services, methods, and practices that are not part of standard medical care as well as their accompanying theories and beliefs. The present study aimed to investigate the use of herbal supplements in diabetic patients as well as the methods of administration and the side effects of the products.Materials and Methods: The cross-descriptive study was carried out from May to June 2016 and enrolled 150 patients aged over 18 years who applied to Mustafa Kemal University Medical Hospital Endocrinology Outpatients. Results: Of the 150 participants, 60.7% (n:91) were male while 39.3% (n:59) were female and 22% (n:33) of them reported herbal supplement use. The most preferred supplements were, cinnamon 5.3% (n:8), lemon 4.7% (n:7), pomegranate syrup 3.3% (n:5), green tea 2.7% (n:4), 2.0% almond (n:3), 1.3% (n:2) yarrow, sage and olive leaves. None of them declared a colsultation about these CAM with their GPs. Also none of them declared a side effect. Conclusion: Herbal supplements are used by a great majority of diabetic patients, but none of them were using herbal supplements by physician advice. The use of herbal supplements without physician control may lead to undesirable outcomes for diabetic patients. Keywords: Diabetic patients, use of herbal supplements, survey