Herbal product use in a sample of Turkish patients undergoing haemodialysis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine herbal product use among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis.


BACKGROUND
Herbal therapy is a very popular choice for many patients. However, little information is available about herbal product use in renal patients.


METHODS
The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. The data were obtained from 114 end-stage renal disease patients in two haemodialysis centres in Ankara, Turkey between June-August 2007.


METHODS
Data were collected through face-to-face structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were conducted.


RESULTS
Approximately one-third of the patients (28.1%) used a herbal product after the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Of these, 13.2% reported currently taking herbal products. A minority of participants (12.5%) informed their physician of herbal product use. Marital status was the only variable significantly associated with herbal product use.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that many patients used herbal products, but most did not disclose this use to their physician. Herbal product use was more prevalent among the participants who were married.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the patterns and reasons of herbal use is beneficial in efforts to improve the care of patients with end-stage renal disease. Nurses should be aware of the potential health risks caused by herbal products and should educate the patient and the family.
Kara
Belgüzar
B
Diyarbakir Military Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey. sb.kara@mynet.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey