title: Dietary supplements and herbal preparations in renal and liver transplant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dietary supplements (DS) and herbal preparations (HP) are advertised to be safe and have therapeutic potential. They are sold over the counter. Therefore, a considerable increase in the frequency of their use has been observed; for example in the United States one in four persons taking medicines uses DS. The use of DS and HP in renal and liver transplant recipients remains unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to determine the proportion of patients who used DS or HP, as well as to assess their awareness of the benefits and risks related to ingestion of these products.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 100 renal, liver, or combined renal and heart transplant patients into the study. They underwent a survey consisting of 14 multiple-choice questions, concerning demographic features, transplant-related data, and information about the use of DS and HP, including the frequency of use, the reasons for the purchase, the knowledge of risks and benefits, as well as the sources of information about these products.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 58 (58%) patients who admitted their use of DS and/or HP, 20 (34.5%) ingested more than one preparation. Among liver patients, 51%, and among renal, 44%, of patients took these products for a variety of indications. Vitamins, minerals, diuretics, gastrointestinal tract-regulating, and sedative herbs were chosen most frequently. While 27% of respondents alleged to have obtained the information on DS and HP from a physician, 14% were from a pharmacist, 9% from a friend, acquaintance or neighbor, 8% from an attached leaflet, 4% from an advertisement, and 4% from the internet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high proportion of patients use DS and HP. Most preparations were taken without medical consultation. Awareness of their toxicity or drug interactions was low. Therefore, a tailored education program should be proposed for this group of patients.
authors: Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. b_foronc@yahoo.com
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Foroncewicz
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mucha
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Gryszkiewicz
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Florczak
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mulka
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Chmura
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Szmidt
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Patkowski
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Pączek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations