Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Greek Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Background and objectives: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is regularly used by several patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in many countries. Data concerning the use of CAM in Greek patients with IBD are lacking. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and indicators of CAM use in Greek IBD patients.

Patients and methods: Adult patients with IBD attending our specialized IBD department in "Metropolitan General" Hospital, Holargos, Greece, completed a special questionnaire regarding the use of CAM. Several clinical and epidemiological characteristics were recorded. The results were compared with a disease-control group (patients with irritable bowel syndrome or gastroesophageal reflux disease). The study outcome was the prevalence of CAM use in both groups. In this study, 270 patients, of whom 128 were female, with IBD (Crohn's disease 134 and ulcerative colitis 136) and a median age of 42.3 ± 17.5 years (range 31-52), and 138 patients serving as the disease control group were analyzed.

Results: The prevalence of previous and current CAM use in patients with IBD was 36.3% versus 27.5% in the control group (no significant differences). No significant differences were also noticed between the patients with either CD or UC. In the multivariable analysis, university education and treatment with steroids and TNF-α inhibitors were independent social indicators of CAM use.

Conclusions: The percentage of CAM use by the Greek patients with IBD was quite high, similar to other European countries. Although numerically higher, this percentage was not significantly different compared with the disease control group. The use of CAM in IBD patients in Greece is associated with a higher educational level, and treatment with steroids and TNF-α inhibitors.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; alternative medicine; complementary medicine; ulcerative colitis.