Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2011;58(2):101-8. doi: 10.1159/000326765. Epub 2011 Apr 8.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate the current use of biologically-based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in diabetics, considering health awareness, motivation, and expectations for CAM use. Moreover, patients' attitudes toward cinnamon preparations and the need for appropriate information from health care professionals were determined.
A total of 200 patients (59% men and 41% women) with type 1 (16%) or type 2 diabetes (84%) were interviewed using a standardized, validated questionnaire; the results from 198 respondents were analyzed.
A third of type 1 and type 2 diabetics (women > men; p < 0.01) reported current use of biologically-based CAM supplements, and intake was significantly (r = 0.203; p < 0.05) correlated to the degree of health awareness/interest in self-care in type 2 diabetics. The use of nutritional supplements (vitamins/multivitamins and minerals), herbal medicine, and cinnamon was reported most frequently. Prevention (36%) and improved well-being/quality of life (13%) but not the positive modulation of diabetes management (4%) were given as main motivations. Eighty-three percent of type 1 diabetics (women > men; p < 0.05) and 70% of type 2 diabetics already knew about the postulated positive effect of cinnamon on blood glucose. Up to 85% reported a willingness or a probable willingness to test the effect of cinnamon on blood glucose. Among patients with type 2 diabetes the subjectively felt disease burden was found to have a significant (r = 0.235; p < 0.01) impact on the willingness to use cinnamon preparations for better diabetes management.
This study indicates a remarkable interest in CAM remedies in the investigated group of diabetics as a strategy for active engagement in health and disease self-management. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the increasing number of patients using CAM supplements and hence incorporate these aspects into patient care in order to ensure patient satisfaction and optimize health care.
背景/目的：本研究旨在评估糖尿病患者当前使用基于生物的补充和替代医学（CAM）疗法的情况，同时考虑健康意识、动机以及对 CAM 使用的期望。此外，还确定了患者对肉桂制剂的态度以及对医疗保健专业人员提供适当信息的需求。
采用标准化、经过验证的问卷对 200 名患者（59%为男性，41%为女性）进行了调查，其中 16%为 1 型糖尿病患者，84%为 2 型糖尿病患者；对 198 名应答者的结果进行了分析。
三分之一的 1 型和 2 型糖尿病患者（女性>男性；p<0.01）报告正在使用基于生物的 CAM 补充剂，且摄入量与 2 型糖尿病患者的健康意识/自我保健兴趣程度呈显著正相关（r=0.203；p<0.05）。报告最频繁的补充剂使用情况包括营养补充剂（维生素/多种维生素和矿物质）、草药和肉桂。预防（36%）和改善健康状况/生活质量（13%）而不是对糖尿病管理的积极调节（4%）被列为主要动机。83%的 1 型糖尿病患者（女性>男性；p<0.05）和 70%的 2 型糖尿病患者已经了解肉桂对血糖的潜在积极影响。高达 85%的患者表示愿意或可能愿意测试肉桂对血糖的影响。在 2 型糖尿病患者中，发现主观感受到的疾病负担对使用肉桂制剂改善糖尿病管理的意愿有显著影响（r=0.235；p<0.01）。
本研究表明，被调查的糖尿病患者对 CAM 疗法表现出浓厚的兴趣，将其作为积极参与健康和疾病自我管理的策略。医疗保健专业人员应意识到越来越多的患者正在使用 CAM 补充剂，因此应将这些方面纳入患者护理中，以确保患者满意度并优化医疗保健。
