Use and safety perception of herbal remedies in patients with liver/biliary tract disorders: an Italian study.
BACKGROUND
Use of herbal remedies (HR) has increased in the general population, particularly among patients with chronic diseases. Marketing of HR is usually regulated by imperfect standards, and the reporting of HR-related adverse reactions has increased. Studies assessing prevalence of HR use among patients with liver/biliary tract disorders are limited and no data are available in Italy. Aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of HR use, the clinical and demographic variables of HR users, and to evaluate their safety perception about HR.


METHODS
From October 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008, 231 consecutive patients attending the Liver Disease Unit clinic at Sant'Andrea Hospital, II Faculty of Medicine "La Sapienza" Rome, were interviewed using an ad hoc developed questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed the following items: demographic and clinical characteristics, use of conventional therapy, use of HR and safety perception. Data were expressed as mean (+/-SD) or number/total, and evaluated by student t and chi2 tests; univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression (MLR) were conducted.


RESULTS
Prevalence of HR use was 35.5%. HR use was more common among women (P=0.01), and in patients attending sports activity (P=0.03). 72% of patients using HR had never considered potentially harmful HR-side effects or interactions. Sixty-seven percent used HR in addition to conventional therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
More than a third of patients attending Liver/Biliary Disorders Clinic uses HR. Misconceptions about HR safety is common.
Marignani
Massimo
M
Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, Second Medical Faculty University Sapienza at S. Andrea Hospital, Roma, Italy. mmarignani@hotmail.com
Gallina
Sara
S
Di Fonzo
Michela
M
Deli
Ilaria
I
Begini
Paola
P
Gigante
Elia
E
Epifani
Marcella
M
Angeletti
Stefano
S
Delle Fave
Gianfranco
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010465:Perception; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055990:Therapeutic Misconception; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations