title: Use of complementary medicine amongst diabetic patients in a public primary care clinic in Ipoh.
abstract: The use of Complementary Medicine (CM) amongst diabetic patients attending the Diabetes/Hypertension, Clinic. Out Patient Department, Ipoh Hospital was studied: Forty-three patients were selected by systematic random sampling (1:5) over a one-week period starting 5/12/01. Data were collected by patient interview, from medical records and through a questionnaire. 56% were using CM together with conventional therapy. Most commonly used were herbal therapy, homeopathy and reflexology. The majority took CM daily with a mean duration of 7 years. Over half had subjective relief of pain with increased energy. Patients on CM or conventional therapy both showed poorly controlled FBS levels. There is a need to assess the effect of these therapies on diabetic outcome.
authors.affiliation: Kuantan Hospital, Pahang.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Remli
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care