title: Complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes (CALMIND)--a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to further elucidate the demographic and diabetes characteristics of diabetic patients in Australia who use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 149 patients with diabetes attending a general endocrine clinic in a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven patients (25%) stated they had used CAM therapies within the past 5 years. Vitamins (53%) were the most common CAM therapy used. A greater number of CAM nonusers reported calf pain whilst walking (21% vs. 9%, p=0.051), and HbA1c values were lower for CAM nonusers (7.7% vs. 8.1%, p=0.057). Amongst CAM users, a majority of patients (85%) did not consult with their specialist or general practitioner prior to starting CAM therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the increasing burden of diabetes, health practitioners will need to be more vigilant and understanding of the potential impact of CAM use on diabetes management.
authors.forename: Aaron C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jenson C S
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D030881:Disclosure; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D014815:Vitamins