Abstract
Background
Alternative and complementary therapies are increasingly used by patients with inflammatory
bowel disease, but no data are available on their use in Italy.
Aim
To ascertain the prevalence and pattern of the use of alternative and complementary
therapies, and demographic and clinical factors associated with their use in a large
sample of Italian inflammatory bowel disease patients.
Methods
A structured questionnaire was administered to a cohort of outpatients at a tertiary
referral centre.
Results
Five hundred and fifty-two patients completed the questionnaire; 156 (28%) reported
using alternative and complementary therapies, which mainly involved homeopathy (43.6%),
followed by controlled diets or dietary supplements (35.5%), herbs (28.2%), exercise
(25.6%) and prayer (14.7%). Alternative and complementary therapies were used to ameliorate
intestinal symptoms (52.5%), in the hope of being cured (41%) and to reduce the intake
of drugs (39.7%). An improvement in well-being (45.5%) and inflammatory bowel disease
symptoms (40.3%) were the most commonly reported benefits. A higher education (p = 0.027), a more frequently relapsing disease (p = 0.001) and dissatisfaction with the doctor's communication (p = 0.001) correlated with alternative and complementary therapy use. Non-compliance with
conventional drugs, disease severity and curiosity regarding novel therapies were
predictors of alternative and complementary therapy use.
Conclusions
Alternative and complementary therapies are frequently used by Italian inflammatory
bowel disease patients. Doctors should improve their empathy and their understanding
about possible benefits of alternative and complementary therapies.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 1,
2007
Received:
November 13,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
