Complementary and alternative medicine use among Turkish diabetes patients.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients with diabetes mellitus, to determine demographic characteristics making it more likely to using CAM, and to find out how benefits, if any, were perceived by patients.


METHODS
A 24-item survey questionnaire administered to 371 return patients with diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism department of Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
Questionnaire-based measures of demographics, motives, expectations, and effects of using CAM, and types and reported perceived benefits of CAM practiced on patients with diabetes mellitus.


RESULTS
Forty-one percent of patients (n=152) used at least one of CAM practices; and age, birthplace, educational status, duration of diabetes and family type were significant factors in such behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients born in cities, having more education and longer duration of diabetes, at relatively young ages and living in large families were more likely to use CAM. More than half of those using CAM (n=80, 52.7%) reported as benefits the feelings of either strengthening of body, or being in good psychological condition, or disappearance of several symptoms.
Ceylan
Süleyman
S
Department of Public Health, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, GATA Halk Sağliği, AD 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. sceylan_2000@yahoo.com
Azal
Omer
O
Taşlipinar
Abdullah
A
Türker
Türker
T
Açikel
Cengiz Han
CH
Gulec
Mahir
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey