Prevalence of complementary medicine usage within a diabetes clinic

Complementary medicine is being used increasingly within the UK, with large sums of money being spent. The utilisation of complementary medicines by patients with diabetes attending a hospital clinic was assessed using a questionnaire. Of 328 patients approached, 246 (75%) agreed to be interviewed. Of these, 17% had used complementary medicines, with acupuncture, homoeopathy and herbal therapy being used most often. The average annual cost of treatment was £69 ± 21 (range £0–£459). Complementary medicines were most commonly used for non‐diabetes‐related problems (91%) and 61% were perceived to be beneficial. In one patient there was a known adverse effect on diabetes control and two others complained of non‐diabetes‐related adverse events. There is apparently widespread use of complementary medicine within hospital diabetes clinics, which is often unrecognised but may have effects on the management of diabetes in such patients.