Abstract
Herbal medicine has become a popular treatment among patients with chronic diseases worldwide. Many patients with diabetes mellitus use herbal medicine without consulting their health professionals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, pattern of use, and perceptions in type 2 diabetes patients using herbal medicine. It was conducted between 1st January 2019 and end of June 2019 diabetes clinic in Farwaniya Hospital in Kuwait. In this cross sectional quantitative study, 350 patients were asked to complete questionnaire administered by nurses. The study found that 30.6% of sample used herbal medicine—women more than men. Black cumin (habba soda) i.e. Nigella sativa was the most common herb used by diabetic patients. The study revealed that 70% of herbal medicine users had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7%). Diabetic complications were greater in herbal users than in those receiving conventional therapy. The study also showed that 95.3% of herbal medicine users did not inform their treating doctors. Our conclusion was that herbal medicine users needed to increase their awareness and education about the risks and complications of herbal medicine.
Highlights
Aim of the Study This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes patients using herbal or alternative medicine use Kuwait among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
A total of 350 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this study. 30.7% reported using herbal medicine in their therapy regimen (107 NIDDM)
Women used herbal remedies more than men (56.1% compared to 43.9%) with significant statistical difference between patients using and not using herbal remedies (P-value 0.001). 51.4% of herbal medicine users had 12 years or more of education. 74.8% were Kuwaiti nationals
Summary
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely used throughout the world especially by patients with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 40% of adults and 10% of children have used complementary treatment [4]. In Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, 30% of patients with diabetes mellitus had used herbal medicine to treat their condition [7]. It is widely believed that some herbal remedies provide symptomatic relief and help in the prevention of complication from diabetes mellitus. Some are proven to help in regenerating pancreatic beta cells in overcoming insulin resistance and in improving glycemic control in diabetic patients [3]
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