Profiling the Use of Complementary Alternative Medicines among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Results from a Single Center Survey

Abstract

Background. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are used by patients with chronic disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a desire to manage their disease. Methods. Patients visiting an IBD outpatient clinic and infusion unit in a tertiary referral center were surveyed through an anonymized Dutch version of the international questionnaire to measure the use of CAMs. Results. Of the 467 IBD patients who responded to the survey, 41.8% ( n = 195 ) reported the use of CAMs. Gender ( p = 0.03 , higher in females), educational qualification ( p = 0.02 , higher in more educated patients), and number of prior IBD medical treatments ( p = 0.05 , higher in patients having received more than one therapy) were significantly associated with CAM usage. Overall, there was no significant difference in CAM-usage between UC (45.3%) and CD (38.2%) patients. Over two-thirds of patients reported using CAMs to alleviate IBD-related symptoms. The most prevalent reason for CAM-usage was to minimize stress and symptoms. The top five nonsupplemental CAMs used by IBD patients included probiotics, curcumin, yoghurt, homeopathy, and yoga. Among CAMs with a minimum of 25 users, yoga (93.5%), cannabis (87.5%), and mindfulness (84.6%) had high self-reported efficacy indices. Fifty-six percent of the patients who affirmed the economic worthiness of CAMs expressed their interest to consult with their gastroenterologist about CAM-conventional therapy interactions. Conclusion. CAM usage in IBD patients is highly prevalent, and consultation of the patients with the gastroenterologist about the use of CAMs is warranted. Since CAMs can interact with conventional therapies, a debate could help optimizing CAM use, eventually resulting in better disease management.

Holistic healthcare in inflammatory bowel disease: time for patient-centric approaches?

“…Use of strict and standardised medium- and long-term outcomes in line with “treat-to-target” strategies as adopted by the STRIDE19 118 119 and SPIRIT37 guidelines.…”

“…This is where policy makers and healthcare funders could play a crucial role in driving this research forward, next to providing the necessary framework for recognition and reimbursement of proven therapies. For patients, patient organisations and clinicians, it will be important to reach out and openly discuss treatment goals, treatment options and the current CAMs patients are using (if relevant) 19. In order to do so, clinicians should get adequately informed and confident with the evidence on these kinds of treatments.…”

“…This gap in ‘treatability’ might lead to patients experimenting with a wide variety of dietary choices18 and/or complementary and alternative approaches to address refractory symptoms. In addition, patients might also resort to these types of treatments before or during conventional treatments, with or without consulting their treating clinician19 which in turn could impact on outcomes.…”

Crude Tieguanyin oolong tea polysaccharides regulate intestinal immune and gut microflora in dextran sulfate sodium‐induced mice colitis

“…9 Notably, a significant proportion (70.8%) of IBD patients using green tea as a complementary and alternative medicine have reported its efficacy. 10 Previous studies showed promising outcomes for various tea components, such as tea polyphenols, 7 green tea polyphenols, 11 green tea polysaccharides, 12 epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), 13,14 black tea polysaccharides, 12 theaflavin-3,3 0digallate (TFDG), 15 selenium-containing tea polysaccharides 16 and Fuzhuan brick tea polysaccharides. 17 These tea compounds have demonstrated favorable therapeutic effects with minimal side effects.…”

“…Tea has been recognized as a potentially protective dietary factor, particularly in Asian populations where studies have reported a negative association between tea consumption and IBD 9 . Notably, a significant proportion (70.8%) of IBD patients using green tea as a complementary and alternative medicine have reported its efficacy 10 . Previous studies showed promising outcomes for various tea components, such as tea polyphenols, 7 green tea polyphenols, 11 green tea polysaccharides, 12 epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), 13,14 black tea polysaccharides, 12 theaflavin‐3,3′‐digallate (TFDG), 15 selenium‐containing tea polysaccharides 16 and Fuzhuan brick tea polysaccharides 17 .…”