article · PubMed
This study investigated the impact of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use on fasting blood glucose levels among adult type 2 diabetes patients in North Central Nigeria. Researchers recruited 244 patients using systematic sampling and collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and CAM use via questionnaires. The findings revealed that 40.1% of the participants used CAM, with the highest proportion among those aged 30-40 years. A significant majority of CAM users, 71.4%, exhibited uncontrolled fasting blood glucose. Moringa was identified as the most frequently used CAM. The study concluded that individuals who did not use CAM were nearly twice as likely to have controlled fasting blood glucose, suggesting a link between CAM use and poorer glycaemic control in this population.
This research highlights a significant trend of complementary and alternative medicine use among diabetic patients and its association with poorer blood glucose control. Understanding this relationship is crucial for healthcare providers to offer better patient education and develop more effective, integrated diabetes management strategies, potentially improving health outcomes.
The abstract does not indicate a direct application pathway for commercialisation of a product or service. Instead, the findings suggest a need for public health interventions, including enhanced patient education, community engagement, and workshops for complementary and alternative medicine providers, alongside strengthening the overall health system to improve diabetes management and reduce reliance on unproven treatments.
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BACKGROUND: Management of diabetes mellitus can be quite challenging especially if glucose control is poor necessitating the use of multiple health facilities. Failure of good control is usually multifactorial, leading to an evolving trend in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by patients to improve outcome. In view of increasing use of CAM as adjunct or as an alternative treatment, more assessment on CAM use is needed. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of CAM use on fasting blood glucose on type 2 DM patients attending the General Outpatient Clinic. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-four adult type 2 diabetics selected using systematic sampling were recruited into the study. A semi- structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics and CAM use. Data obtained was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23). Statistical analyses were significant at p< 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The mean age ± standard deviation was 56.97 ±10.69 years. Overall CAM use was 40.1%. The highest proportion of CAM use was among those aged between 30 - 40 years (52.9%). Most of the CAM users (71.4%) had uncontrolled fasting blood glucose. Moringa was the most used CAM 61(34.4%). Those who did not use CAM (OR=1.95, CI= 1.12 - 3.37, p<0.05) were 1.95 times more likely to have controlled FBG, and was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Many of the diabetic patients used CAM and most of those who practiced concurrent use of CAM and orthodox medicine had poor glycaemic control. Developing a patient-centred approach to CAM use through health education, community engagement, workshops for CAM providers and strengthening health system will reduce reliance on CAM.
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