A survey of herbal product use in a dialysis population in Northwest Ohio

Abstract

Objective: To identify herbal product use in a dialysis population.

Design and setting: Cross-sectional survey conducted at 2 freestanding dialysis centers in Northwest Ohio.

Patients: Two hundred and sixteen hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients who provided informed consent.

Intervention: All patients were surveyed by personal interview regarding use of herbal products. Patients identified as current users were asked questions about specific agents. Respondents reporting past but not current use were questioned about specific agents and reasons for discontinuation.

Results: Thirty-one patients reported taking herbal therapies. Twenty-six patients discontinued use before the survey. Sixteen different herbal products were reported being used in our study population. Those who reported ever using an herbal product were more likely to be employed or disabled and have higher education when compared with nonusers.

Conclusion: Our data suggest a lower frequency of herbal product use in the dialysis population as compared with the general population and other chronically ill populations. Education and employment are factors associated with use. Many of the herbal therapies used potentially could have significant adverse effects in dialysis patients. These include effects on blood pressure, blood glucose, coagulation parameters, and electrolyte disturbances. Dialysis patients currently taking herbal products may not be reevaluating their need for continuation and may not be informing members of the nephrology care team about their use.