[Status of alternative medicine in Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis patents: a questionnaire survey].
BACKGROUND
Patients with M. Crohn or colitis ulcerosa live with a chronic disease. Pharmaceuticals used in convention-al medicine have been proven to be effective but can have strong side-effects. Thus, it is no surprise that affected patients are very interested in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our survey was to investigate the use and the application of CAM by patients with M. Crohn and colitis ulcerosa in Switzerland.


METHODS
Out-patients of the gastroenterological centre at the University Hospital Bern and of two gastroenterological private practices in a medium-sized city completed a self-administered questionnaire on CAM. Demographic variables, disease-related data, use of different approaches of complementary medicine, attitudes towards and the use of CAM were asked for.


RESULTS
Out of 204 mailed questionnaires 71% (144) could be evaluated, 44% from patients of the University Hospital, 56% from patients of the gastroenterological private practices. CAM was used by 47% of the patients. The most commonly used methods of CAM were: homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. 67% of the patients benefitted by CAM in the long run, whereas 10.5% suffered a relapse of their disease during CAM therapies. The main reason for the patients to apply to CAM was to complement conventional treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our survey points out that the studied out-patients have a strong interest in CAM. It is therefore important that clinical research in the various unconventional therapies will be further promoted.
Universität Bern, Schweiz. brigitte.ausfeld@bluewin.ch
Brigitte
B
Ausfeld-Hafter
Simone
S
Hoffmann
Frank
F
Seibold
Christina
C
Quattropani
Pius
P
Heer
Alex
A
Straumann
D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005762:Gastroenterology; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland