title: Herbal self-medication use in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A considerable number of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) turn to self-medication using medicinal plants, preparations, and medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate self-medication using medicinal plants and the potential influence of health care professionals' advice or media information regarding the use of herbal dietary supplements with hypoglycemic effect in a population of patients with type 2 DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research, in the form of an analytic cross-sectional study, was conducted in 6 pharmacies in the territory of Nis, Serbia, during October 2013. The criterion set for the study was to include patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who used pharmacotherapy in addition to herbal supplements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surveyed women showed a statistically significant difference in the frequency of using herbal supplements compared to men (P < 0.001). More frequent symptoms of hypoglycemia were reported in the group of diabetic respondents who used herbal dietary supplements (P < 0.05). The media was most responsible for influencing decisions about self-medication that included the use of herbal dietary supplements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of health professionals is indispensable and very important, especially when the media is a potential cause of seeking self-medication.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Damnjanovic
authors.forename: Dusanka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kitic
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stefanovic
authors.forename: Snezana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zlatkovic-Guberinic
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catic-Djordjevic
authors.forename: Radmila
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Velickovic-Radovanovic
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012651:Self Medication; D055771:Serbia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents