title: The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine is Frequent in Patients With Pancreatic Disorders.
abstract: Herbal remedies and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are used by 30% of the patients with liver and inflammatory bowel diseases. However, there are no data regarding CAM use in patients with pancreatic disorders, including potential pancreatotoxicity.
  
  
  
  The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of CAM use in patients with pancreatic disorders and screen for pancreatotoxicity.
  
  
  
  This was a cross-sectional survey of consecutive outpatients seen at a Pancreas Center. Data were collected in a specific questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the prevalence and the patterns of CAM use. Characteristics associated with CAM use were analyzed by appropriate statistics.
  
  
  
  Of 108 patients (52% male; mean age, 65±13 years), 47 (43.5%) used CAM. The use of CAM was more frequent among patients with previous acute pancreatitis (47%). Reported reasons for the use of CAM were to help standard therapies and for an overall better feeling. About 61% of the patients reported advantages with treatment. As compared with nonusers, CAM users were more often female (55% vs. 42%), with a higher school degree (43% vs. 36%), more frequently performing physical activity (51% vs. 41%), and reporting anxiety (45% vs. 31%). However, none of these differences were statistically significant. Three patients with previous acute pancreatitis reported the use of Serenoa repens that is potentially pancreatotoxic.
  
  
  
  The rate of CAM use in patients with pancreatic disorders is similar to those reported for other digestive diseases. CAM use seems to be more frequent in women with a higher education level and a "healthier lifestyle." Patients might not be aware of the potential pancreatotoxicity of CAM, which should be carefully considered by physicians.
authors.affiliation: Digestive and Liver Disease Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stigliano
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Archibugi
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zerboni
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delle Fave
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capurso
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000633:toxicity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations