Abstract
Purpose
To determine the incidence and nature of herbal medicine use among patients in a busy Canadian surgical day care unit.
Methods
We undertook a prospective survey of 575 patients attending our surgical day care unit. The questionnaire inquired as to basic demographics, herbal medicine use, the name and number of herbal medicines used, reason, whether it was self prescribed or not, and if the patient’s family physician was aware of the use. In the second part of the study, 44 anesthesiologists were asked to answer a questionnaire of 27 yes/no questions to determine their knowledge of herbal medicines.
Results
Four hundred eighty-five of 575 patients completed the questionnaire (84%). Thirty-four percent of patients surveyed in our unit responded affirmatively to herbal medicine use. Of these, 39% took them on a daily basis. Forty-five different identifiable herbs were being taken in total, with echinacea being the most common. Less than half of the patients told their family physicians that they were using herbal medicines and only one-third of patients were taking them on the advice of their physician. In the assessment of anesthesiologists’ knowledge of herbal medicine, only 32% of the questions were answered correctly.
Conclusion
The incidence of herbal medicine ingestion by patients coming to our unit was higher than previously reported. A large variety of preparations were being taken, many without the knowledge of the patient’s family physician. The basic knowledge of anesthesiologists with respect to herbal medicine is limited.
Résumé
Objectif
Déterminer l’incidence et la nature des plantes médicinales utilisées par les patients d’une unité canadienne de chirurgie d’un jour très occupée.
Méthode
Nous avons réalisé une enquête prospective auprès de 575 patients traités à notre unité de chirurgie d’un jour. Le questionnaire recherchait les caractéristiques de base des patients, l’usage de plante médicinale, le nom et le nombre de plantes utilisées ainsi que la raison de leur emploi. On demandait si elles avaient été prescrites ou non et si le médecin de famille du patient était au courant de leur usage. Dans la seconde partie de l’étude, 44 anesthésiologistes ont répondu à un questionnaire de 27 questions par oui ou non pour tester leur connaissance des plantes médicinales.
Résultats
Quatre cent quatre-vingt-cinq (485) des 575 patients ont rempli le questionnaire (84 %). Trente-quatre pour cent des patients enquêtés ont répondu avoir utilisé des plantes médicinales. Parmi eux, 39 % les prenaient quotidiennement. Quarante-cinq plantes différentes et identifiables étaient prises dont l’échinacée surtout. Moins de la moitié des patients avaient mis leur médecin de famille au courant et seulement un tiers suivait un avis de leur médecin. Les anesthésiologistes n’ont fourni que 32 % de réponses correctes au questionnaire sur les plantes médicinales.
Conclusion
L’incidence de prise de plantes médicinales par les patients fréquentant notre unité de chirurgie ambulatoire a été plus élevée que prévu. Une grande variété de préparations a été prise dont beaucoup n’étaient pas connues du médecin de famille du patient. Les connaissances de base des anesthésiologistes sur les plantes médicinales sont limitées.
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Lennox, P.H., Henderson, C.L. Herbal medicine use is frequent in ambulatory surgery patients in Vancouver Canada. Can J Anesth 50, 21–25 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03020181
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03020181