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Alternative & complementary treatment for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Institute, Ruth Children's Hospital of Haifa, Rambam Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.
Translational Pediatrics
|January 30, 2020
Summary
Alternative and complementary therapies are frequently used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review examines the evidence for their effectiveness in managing IBD symptoms and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Integrative Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Alternative medicine aims to replace conventional treatments, while complementary medicine supplements them.
- Prevalence of alternative and complementary therapy use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is substantial, reported between 21-60%.
- Understanding the role and efficacy of these therapies in IBD management is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current data on alternative and complementary therapies used by IBD patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these non-conventional treatments in the context of inflammatory bowel disease.
- To provide an evidence-based summary for clinicians and patients regarding these therapeutic options.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search for studies on alternative and complementary medicine in IBD.
- Analysis of data regarding the prevalence and reported outcomes of these therapies.
- Critical appraisal of the evidence for efficacy and safety.
Main Results:
- Significant patient engagement with alternative and complementary therapies in IBD populations.
- Variable evidence regarding the efficacy of different alternative and complementary treatments.
- Need for further rigorous research to establish definitive benefits.
Conclusions:
- Alternative and complementary therapies are commonly utilized by individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.
- The efficacy of these treatments in IBD varies, with limited high-quality evidence for many.
- Further research is warranted to guide the integration of effective complementary therapies into IBD care.
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