[Role of complementary medicine in type 1 diabetes mellitus in two Swiss centres]

(Rolle der Komplementärmedizin bei Diabetes mellitus Typ 1 in zwei Schweizer Zentren.)

Full Abstract

Insulin replacement is the only effective treatment of type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Nevertheless, many complementary treatments are in use for T1DM. In this study we assessed by questionnaire that out of 342 patients with T1DM, 48 (14%; 13.4% adult, 18.5% paediatric; 20 male, 28 female) used complementary medicine (CM) in addition to their insulin therapy. The purpose of the use of CM was to improve general well-being, ameliorate glucose homeostasis, reduce blood glucose levels as well as insulin doses, improve physical fitness, reduce the frequency of hypoglycaemia, and control appetite. The modalities most frequently used are cinnamon, homeopathy, magnesium and special beverages (mainly teas). Thus, good collaboration between health care professionals will allow optimal patient care.

Author information

Author/s: Scheidegger, U A (UA); Flück, C E (CE); Scheidegger, K (K); Diem, P (P); Mullis, P E (PE);

Affiliation: Abteilung für Endokrinologie/Diabetologie/Metabolik, Universitätsklinik für Kinderheilkunde, Inselspital Bern. ursina.scheidegger(-atsign-)insel.ch

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Praxis (Praxis (Bern 1994)), published in Switzerland. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 98 (issue 18) : pp 1001-5

Dates: Created 2009/09/09; Completed 2009/10/27;

PMID: 19739046, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/27/2009, IMS Date: )

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