QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Résumé Extracto Full Text PDF Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Articles Ahead of Print [Order Reprint] Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Clay, P. G Articles by Clauson, K. A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Clay, P. G Articles by Clauson, K. A

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Perceived Efficacy, Indications, and Information Sources for Medically Indigent Patients and Their Healthcare Providers Regarding Dietary Supplements

Associate Professor and Director of Dybedal Clinical Research Center, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO

Alan G Glaros, PhD

Professor and Associate Dean for Basic and Clinical Research, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

Kevin A Clauson, PharmD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy–West Palm Beach Program, Nova Southeastern University, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Reprints: Dr. Clay, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Ave., Kansas City, MO 64106-1453, fax 816/283-2357, pclay{at}kcumb.edu

BACKGROUND: Evidence exists that medically indigent and minority patients use dietary supplements at rates as high or higher than that of the general population. Safety concerns regarding the use of dietary supplements are further exacerbated by a suboptimal level of patient disclosure and provider inquiry.

OBJECTIVE: To determine dietary supplement use, indications, perceived efficacy, and information sources of patients and providers using a pilot study in a clinic for the medically indigent.

METHODS: Five hundred self-administered patient surveys and 50 healthcare provider surveys were made available to any patient at a free health clinic in Kansas City, MO. Surveys were collected and descriptive analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Three hundred eleven patient surveys were returned. Of the 37.3% (116/311) of respondents who had used dietary supplements, 13.8% (n = 16) had 10 comorbid conditions. Ninety-six dietary supplements were used for 8 medical condition categories. The 9 agents most frequently reported used were garlic (n = 32), aloe/green tea (n = 27 each), chamomile/echinacea (n = 24 each), St. John's wort (n = 22), ginseng (n = 18), and cranberry/Ginkgo biloba (n = 17 each). Patients reported a broad range of indications for taking dietary supplements. Patients reported (mean ± SD) 2.37 ± 4.23 agents as effective and 0.78 ± 1.73 as ineffective or harmful. Provider surveys revealed that 60% (21/35) and 74% (26/35) were currently or had ever used dietary supplements, respectively. Fifty-seven percent (20/35) of providers reported attending educational programs on dietary supplements, and providers perceived patient supplement use to be most influenced by advertisements (40%) and friends (40%).

CONCLUSIONS: The medically indigent population uses a wide variety of dietary supplements. There is little consistency in perceived indications, which may prevent clinicians from accurately predicting specific herbal use rationale given any individual's or population's set of comorbid conditions. Clinicians are encouraged to accurately determine their individual practice setting's use pattern.

Key Words: complementary medicine, dietary supplement, medically indigent, providers

Published Online, February 28, 2006. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1E497