title: [Role of complementary medicine in type 1 diabetes mellitus in two Swiss centres].
abstract: Insulin replacement is the only effective treatment of type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Nevertheless, many complementary treatments are in use for T1DM. In this study we assessed by questionnaire that out of 342 patients with T1DM, 48 (14%; 13.4% adult, 18.5% paediatric; 20 male, 28 female) used complementary medicine (CM) in addition to their insulin therapy. The purpose of the use of CM was to improve general well-being, ameliorate glucose homeostasis, reduce blood glucose levels as well as insulin doses, improve physical fitness, reduce the frequency of hypoglycaemia, and control appetite. The modalities most frequently used are cinnamon, homeopathy, magnesium and special beverages (mainly teas). Thus, good collaboration between health care professionals will allow optimal patient care.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Endokrinologie/Diabetologie/Metabolik, Universitätsklinik für Kinderheilkunde, Inselspital Bern. ursina.scheidegger@insel.ch
authors.forename: U A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Scheidegger
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Flück
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scheidegger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diem
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Mullis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin