Effects of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use on Fasting Blood Glucose Among Adult Type 2 Diabetics Attending General Outpatient Clinic in North Central Nigeria: Any Benefits?

Background: Management of diabetes mellitus can be quite challenging especially if glucose control is poor necessitating the use of multiple health facilities. Failure of good control is usually multifactorial, leading to an evolving trend in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by patients to improve outcome. In view of increasing use of CAM as adjunct or as an alternative treatment, more assessment on CAM use is needed.

Objectives: To assess the effect of CAM use on fasting blood glucose on type 2 DM patients attending the General Outpatient Clinic.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-four adult type 2 diabetics selected using systematic sampling were recruited into the study. A semi- structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics and CAM use. Data obtained was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23). Statistical analyses were significant at p< 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval.

Results: The mean age ± standard deviation was 56.97 ±10.69 years. Overall CAM use was 40.1%. The highest proportion of CAM use was among those aged between 30 - 40 years (52.9%). Most of the CAM users (71.4%) had uncontrolled fasting blood glucose. Moringa was the most used CAM 61(34.4%). Those who did not use CAM (OR=1.95, CI= 1.12 - 3.37, p<0.05) were 1.95 times more likely to have controlled FBG, and was statistically significant.

Conclusion: Many of the diabetic patients used CAM and most of those who practiced concurrent use of CAM and orthodox medicine had poor glycaemic control. Developing a patient-centred approach to CAM use through health education, community engagement, workshops for CAM providers and strengthening health system will reduce reliance on CAM.