Awareness of allergy patients about herbal remedies: a cross-sectional study of residents of Ankara, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
The use of herbs in patients with allergic diseases is a special problem and still controversial. The objective of this questionnaire-based study was to determine the rate of herbal use in allergy clinic outpatients as well as to explore patient knowledge.


METHODS
Patients with respiratory and/or skin disease, either atopic or non-atopic were assigned to a prospective questionnaire study conducted in allergy clinic outpatients.


RESULTS
Three hundred and ninety-five patients enrolled in the study. The mean age was 33.50+/-12.14 years. Participants generally had a high educational level (40.5% college and 39% university graduated). The rate of herbal use was 14.2%. All characteristics were similar within herbal user and non-user patients, except gender and age. The number of female patients who use herbal products was greater than for males (p=0.043). Herbal use was common in patients in their late thirties (p=0.024). Three main rationales for herbal use were revealed: (i) acting upon advice of someone (41.1%); (ii) the belief that "herbals are always more beneficial than chemicals" (37.5%); and (iii) the trust that "herbals are always safe" (21.4%). Most of the participants have "no idea" (41.5%) or are "not sure" (33.7%) about potential harmful effects of herbs to allergic people.


CONCLUSIONS
People will continue to use herbals for one reason or another. Allergists and clinical immunologists need to become more knowledgeable about herbal therapies so that they can inform patients about either the benefits or possible harmful effects of herbs.
Caliskaner
Z
Z
Gülhane Military Medical Academy, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy, Ankara, Turkey. caliskaner@yahoo.com
Kartal
O
O
Gulec
M
M
Ozturk
S
S
Erel
F
F
Sener
O
O
Karaayvaz
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012651:Self Medication; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D028321:Plant Preparations