Complementary medicine use and its cost in Australians with type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II. Issue 8 (6th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yarash, Tatsiana; Sharif, Imrana; Masood, Farhat; Clifford, Rhonda M.; Davis, Wendy A.; Davis, Timothy M. E.
• Is Part Of: Internal medicine journal. Volume 50:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 944
• Page End: 950
• Publication Date: 2020-08-06
• Subjects: type 2 diabetes -- complementary medicine -- cost -- community‐based; Medicine -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/imj.14437
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1444-0903

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Few studies have examined complementary medicine (CM) use in diabetes. Australian data are inconsistent, limited in scope and have not considered cost. Aims: To evaluate the prevalence, associates and costs of CM in a contemporary Australian urban, community‐based cohort of people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Baseline CM use was determined as part of a detailed assessment in 1543 of 1551 Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II (FDS2) participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 65.7 years, 51.8% males, median diabetes duration 9.0 years) recruited to the FDS2 between 2008 and 2011 who self‐reported medication use including CM defined as non‐prescription medicinal products. Results: A total of 672 FDS2 type 2 participants (43.6%) used at least one type of CM, 92% of which were nutritional supplements (omega‐3 fatty acids/fish oil in 24% of CM users followed by calcium in 11%, glucosamine in 10% and others in <10%). Independent associates of CM use included older age, female sex, any mobility problem, and, inversely, Southern European or Indigenous Australian background, lack of English fluency, ex/current smoking status, taking oral glucose‐lowering medications and higher HbA1c . The total annual estimated cost of CM used by FDS2 participants with type 2 diabetes was A$121 640 or A$79 ± 208 per person (range A$0–2993). Extrapolating these data, the 1 million Australians with type 2 diabetes spend A$79 million/year on CM. Conclusions: CM use in type 2 diabetes is both common and costly. Healthcare professionals should consider discussing safe and cost‐effective use of CM with their patients with type 2 diabetes.