Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
- (1)
- Social media
- (2)
- IBD organisations
- (3)
- Professional networks
3. Results
3.1. Demographic Characteristics
3.2. Use of CAM Practitioners
3.3. Use of CAM Products
3.4. Predictors for Use of CAM
3.5. Information Sources and Needs
3.6. Thematic Analysis of Free Text Responses
3.6.1. Theme 1: Reasons for Using CAM
“While mesalamine has helped, having 3–4 tablespoons of Saurkraut first thing in the morning on an empty stomach significantly decreases and sometimes completely stops bleeding.”
“I think complimentary/alternative medicine has appealed to me more since I get frustrated knowing I’ll always have this condition. Sometimes I just want to try something different to feel better”
“It is hard to know which part is having the most effect. But the supplements and herbs seem to make much more of a difference to my IBD and overall health than the mesalazine does”
3.6.2. Theme 2: Perceived Efficacy of CAMs
“Cryotherapy is expensive, so I can’t do it all the time, but find it to be the best at relieving pain and reducing effects of inflammation.”
“I changed to vegetarian diet and symptoms/hospitalisations have greatly reduced.”
“Along with my strict healthy diet (no processed foods) the supplements have really helped me half my conventional medicine dose and I feel much healthier and stronger.”
3.6.3. Theme 3: Dissatisfaction with Conventional Therapy
“It’s only natural when you’re not having success with prescribed medication to turn to community and try to find complimentary options to keep yourself out of a situation that’s just so horrible and so reducing on your life”
“When your body fails you try everything and anything.”
3.6.4. Theme 4: A Desire for a Holistic Approach to IBD Care
“I find that traditional health professionals fail to treat people with IBD as a whole human. They are often less aware of the long list of issues we face… They are also close minded to holistic health which is sad as it often helps at least manage the extra intestinal manifestations of the disease. Holistic providers are willing to work with doctors and often help profoundly with mental health as they don’t stigmatise their patients like many doctors do and they really want to help with your quality of life.”
“It’s hard to find a doctor who is interested and knowledgeable about both biologics and supportive alternative health care.”
“Gastroenterologist was not helpful with questions about regarding probiotics and microbiomes”
3.6.5. Theme 5: A Desire for More Research into the Efficacy of CAM
“We also need more scientific studies done to show the effectiveness. So little money is put into IBD treatment compared to other disease.”
3.6.6. Theme 6: High Costs Preventing Individuals from Using CAM
“I wish this was more widely accepted as a normal method of treatment and then there might be some medical costs coverage too. Costs can be a factor.”
3.6.7. Theme 7: Individuals Found No Benefits When Using CAM
“Over the last 30 years I’ve tried many different alternative provision reiki healing. Reflexology crystal cleansing, hypnotherapy. I still got sick.”
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Name (Instagram Handle) | Channel of Distribution | Number of Followers |
---|---|---|
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia | LinkedIn | 826 22,565 |
IBD & IBS Patient Advocate (@betterbelliesbymolly) | 4734 | |
Gut Health & IBS Dietitians (@fodmapdietetics) | 2918 | |
IBD Relief (@ibdrelief) | Instagram Internal newsletter | 2052 Unknown |
Charlotte Kate (@thecrohnsbaker) | 290 | |
The Gut-Friendly Dietitian (@thegutfriendlydietitian) | 2497 | |
Crohn’s Colitis New Zealand Canterbury Support Group | 397 | |
Crohn’s & Colitis UK | 41,500 | |
Rachel|Crohn’s & Colitis (@beyond.IBD) | 2558 |
Type of IBD | p-Value | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
CD n = 60 n (%) | UC n = 63 n (%) | Total n = 123 n (%) | ||
Age of diagnosis (years) | <0.001 * | |||
Median | 25 | 28 | 27 | |
Range | 9–74 | 15–69 | 9–74 | |
Age (years) | 0.18 | |||
18–24 | 6 (4.9) | 2 (1.6) | 8 (6.5) | |
25–34 | 18 (14.6) | 24 (19.5) | 42 (34.1) | |
35–44 | 14 (11.4) | 15 (12.2) | 29 (23.6) | |
45–54 | 6 (4.9) | 12 (9.8) | 18 (14.6) | |
>55 | 16 (13.0) | 10 (8.1) | 26 (21.1) | |
Gender | 0.12 | |||
Male | 12 (9.8) | 7 (5.7) | 19 (15.4) | |
Female | 46 (37.4) | 56 (45.5) | 102 (82.9) | |
Third gender | 2 (1.6) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (1.6) | |
Level of education | 0.26 | |||
High school | 10 (8.1) | 8 (6.5) | 18 (14.6) | |
Trade qualification | 10 (8.1) | 8 (6.5) | 18 (14.6) | |
Bachelor degree | 22 (17.9) | 22 (17.9) | 44 (35.8) | |
Master’s degree | 12 (9.8) | 10 (8.1) | 22 (17.9) | |
PhD | 0 (0.0) | 5 (4.1) | 5 (4.1) | |
Other | 6 (5.0) | 10 (8.1) | 16 (13.0) | |
Country | 0.06 | |||
Australia | 33 (27.3) | 24 (19.8) | 57 (47.1) | |
Outside of Australia | 26 (21.5) | 38 (31.4) | 64 (52.9) | |
Previous surgery | <0.001 * | |||
Yes | 31 (25.2) | 2 (1.6) | 33 (26.8) | |
No | 29 (23.6) | 61 (49.6) | 90 (73.1) | |
Medications | ||||
Antibiotics | 2 (1.7) | 3 (2.5) | 5 (4.1) | 0.52 |
Steroids | 6 (5.0) | 15 (12.2) | 21 (17.1) | 0.04 * |
5 ASA | 8 (6.5) | 39 (31.7) | 47 (38.2) | <0.001 * |
Immunosuppressants | 14 (11.4) | 13 (10.6) | 27 (22.0) | 0.72 |
Biological therapy | 28 (22.8) | 17 (13.8) | 45 (36.6) | 0.02 * |
Other | 15 (12.2) | 17 (13.8) | 32 (26.0) | 0.80 |
Health literacy score | ||||
Mean | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.3 | |
SD | 0.16 | 0.14 | 0.15 | |
How confident are you in filling out forms by yourself? | 0.09 | |||
Extremely—1 | 53 (43.1) | 60 (48.8) | 113 (91.9) | |
Quite a bit—2 | 7 (5.7) | 2 (1.6) | 9 (7.3) | |
Somewhat—3 | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | |
A little bit—4 | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | |
Not at all—5 | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | |
How often do you have someone help with hospital materials? | 0.69 | |||
Never—1 | 45 (36.6) | 51 (41.5) | 96 (78.0) | |
Occasionally—2 | 10 (8.1) | 9 (7.3) | 19 (15.4) | |
Sometimes—3 | 3 (2.4) | 1 (0.8) | 4 (3.3) | |
Often—4 | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | |
Always—5 | 2 (1.6) | 1 (0.8) | 3 (2.4) | |
How often do you have problems learning about your medical condition? | 0.78 | |||
Never—1 | 44 (36.4) | 50 (40.7) | 94 (76.4) | |
Occasionally—2 | 11 (8.9) | 9 (7.3) | 20 (16.3) | |
Sometimes—3 | 4 (3.3) | 2 (1.6) | 6 (4.9) | |
Often—4 | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | |
Always—5 | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | 2 (1.6) |
Types of Practitioners | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mainstream Health Practitioners n (%) | Complementary and Alternative Therapists n (%) | |||||||||
GP | Specialist | Dietitian | Nutritionist | Chiropractor | Homeopath | Herbalist | Reiki | Acupuncture | Other | |
Visited in previous 12 months | 73 (59.3) | 99 (80.5) | 28 (22.8) | 10 (8.1) | 11 (8.9) | 5 (4.1) | 6 (4.9) | 4 (3.3) | 15 (12.2) | 25 (20.3) |
Reasons for use | ||||||||||
Acute exacerbation | 7 (9.6) | 15 (15.2) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (10.0) | 1 (9.1) | 1 (20.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (13.3) | 0 (0.0) |
Long-term treatment/management | 10 (13.7) | 45 (45.5) | 14 (50.0) | 2 (20.0) | 1 (9.1) | 1 (20.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (25.0) | 1 (6.7) | 5 (20.0) |
Overall wellbeing | 10 (13.7) | 0 (0.0) | 9 (32.1) | 5 (50.0) | 6 (54.5) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (50.0) | 3 (75.0) | 4 (26.7) | 7 (28.0) |
Terminate/avoid medication | 1 (1.4) | 1 (1.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (20.0) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (6.7) | 0 (0.0) |
Manage treatment side effects | 6 (8.2) | 1 (1.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (6.7) | 2 (8.0) |
Symptom relief | 8 (11.0) | 7 (7.1) | 1 (3.6) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (18.2) | 1 (20.0) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (26.7) | 5 (20.0) |
Other | 24 (32.9) | 18 (18.2) | 2 (7.1) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (6.7) | 4 (16.0) |
How helpful was it | ||||||||||
Very helpful | 20 (27.4) | 35 (35.4) | 8 (28.6) | 4 (40.0) | 7 (63.6) | 3 (60.0) | 4 (66.7) | 3 (75.0) | 7 (46.7) | 8 (32.0) |
Somewhat helpful | 32 (43.8) | 38 (38.4) | 10 (35.7) | 3 (30.0) | 2 (18.2) | 1 (20.0) | 1 (16.7) | 1 (25.0) | 7 (46.7) | 11 (44.0) |
Not at all helpful | 7 (9.6) | 8 (8.1) | 8 (28.6) | 2 (20.0) | 1 (9.1) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (8.0) |
Unsure | 2 (2.7) | 3 (3.0) | 1 (3.6) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.0) |
Other | 4 (5.5) | 3 (3.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
How often in past 3 months | ||||||||||
Weekly | 3 (2.4) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (10.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (20.0) | 3 (12.0) |
Fortnightly | 2 (2.7) | 2 (2.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (18.2) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (6.7) | 0 (0.0) |
Monthly | 30 (41.1) | 17 (17.2) | 5 (17.9) | 3 (30.0) | 3 (27.3) | 4 (80.0) | 2 (33.3) | 3 (75.0) | 5 (33.3) | 9 (36.0) |
Other | 31 (42.5) | 68 (68.7) | 21 (75.0) | 5 (50.0) | 5 (45.5) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (33.3) | 1 (25.0) | 5 (33.3) | 11 (44.0) |
Types of Complementary and Alternative Products | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Herbal Medicine | Vitamins | Minerals | Probiotics | Other Nutritional Supplements | Homeopath Remedies | Other CAM | |
Most common types | Turmeric 18 (48.6) Cannabis 10 (27.0) Oregano oil 3 (8.1) | Vit D. 34 (54.0) Vit B. 21 (33.3) Multi. 18 (28.6) | Mg. 17 (68.0) Zinc. 13 (52.0) Iron. 10 (40.0) | - | Protein 21 (72.4) Omega-3 10 (34.5) Collagen 5 (17.2) | - | Diet. 4 (18.2) Exercise 3 (2.5) |
Used in previous 12 months | 38 (30.9) | 63 (51.2) | 26 (21.1) | 54 (43.9) | 29 (23.6) | 5 (4.1) | 22 (17.9) |
Currently uses | 24 (19.5) | 58 (47.2) | 20 (16.3) | 44 (35.8) | 19 (15.4) | 3 (2.4) | 10 (8.1) |
Reasons for use | |||||||
Acute exacerbation | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (1.9) | 1 (3.4) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
Long-term treatment/management | 14 (36.8) | 17 (27.0) | 8 (30.8) | 25 (46.3) | 9 (31.0) | 1 (20.0) | 5 (22.7) |
Overall wellbeing | 8 (21.1) | 31 (49.2) | 8 (30.8) | 16 (29.6) | 10 (34.5) | 1 (20.0) | 4 (18.2) |
Terminate/avoid medication | 2 (5.3) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (3.8) | 4 (7.4) | 1 (3.4) | 2 (40.0) | 1 (4.5) |
Manage treatment side effects | 1 (2.6) | 2 (3.2) | 2 (7.7) | 1 (1.9) | 1 (3.4) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.5) |
Symptom relief | 9 (23.7) | 6 (9.5) | 5 (19.2) | 5 (9.3) | 3 (10.3) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (9.1) |
Other | 2 (5.3) | 5 (7.9) | 2 (7.7) | 1 (1.9) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.5) |
How helpful was it | |||||||
Very helpful | 17 (44.7) | 27 (42.9) | 12 (46.2) | 21 (38.9) | 15 (51.7) | 2 (40.0) | 12 (54.5) |
Somewhat helpful | 13 (34.2) | 27 (42.9) | 10 (38.5) | 23 (42.6) | 8 (27.6) | 2 (40.0) | 1 (4.5) |
Not at all helpful | 1 (2.6) | 1 (1.6) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (3.7) | 1 (3.4) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
Unsure | 6 (15.8) | 3 (4.8) | 4 (15.4) | 7 (13.0) | 1 (3.4) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.5) |
Other | 0 (0.0) | 1 (1.6) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
Type of IBD | |||
---|---|---|---|
CD n (%) | UC n (%) | Total n (%) | |
Sources of information on IBD treatment/management | |||
Doctor/medical specialist | 43 (35.0) | 36 (29.3) | 79 (64.2) |
News article | 9 (7.3) | 10 (8.1) | 19 (15.4) |
Brochures | 2 (1.6) | 1 (0.8) | 3 (2.4) |
Health stores/health food shops | 2 (1.6) | 3 (2.4) | 5 (4.1) |
Pharmacy | 2 (1.6) | 2 (1.6) | 4 (3.3) |
Websites | 21 (17.1) | 13 (10.6) | 34 (27.6) |
Social media | 12 (9.8) | 11 (8.9) | 23 (18.7) |
Online blogs | 3 (2.4) | 1 (0.8) | 4 (3.3) |
Others with IBD | 16 (13.0) | 15 (12.2) | 31 (25.2) |
IBD Support groups | 16 (13.0) | 16 (13.0) | 32 (26.0) |
Journal articles | 8 (6.5) | 13 (10.6) | 21 (17.1) |
Other | 4 (3.3) | 2 (1.6) | 6 (4.9) |
Information needs | |||
Common IBD symptoms | 5 (4.1) | 8 (6.5) | 13 (10.6) |
Disease complications | 13 (10.6) | 9 (7.3) | 22 (17.9) |
Causes of IBD | 17 (13.8) | 14 (11.4) | 31 (25.2) |
Prognosis | 15 (12.2) | 13 (10.6) | 28 (22.8) |
Risk of developing cancer | 17 (13.8) | 15 (12.2) | 32 (26.0) |
Medication effects | 24 (19.5) | 20 (16.3) | 44 (35.8) |
Nutrition and diet | 20 (16.3) | 36 (29.3) * | 56 (45.5) |
Managing time away from school/work | 10 (8.1) | 11 (8.9) | 21 (17/1) |
Support sources | 12 (9.8) | 14 (11.4) | 26 (21.1) |
Connecting with others with IBD | 9 (7.3) | 10 (8.1) | 19 (15.4) |
Other | 0 (0.0) | 5 (4.1) * | 5 (4.1) |
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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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Frank, L.; Lambert, K. Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 1140. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091140
Frank L, Lambert K. Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2024; 21(9):1140. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091140
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrank, Laura, and Kelly Lambert. 2024. "Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 21, no. 9: 1140. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091140