Clinicians and Nutraceutical Use in Cardiology Patients: Ignorance and Neglect
Authors: Patricia Uber
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2010)

Letters6 July 2010Clinicians and Nutraceutical Use in Cardiology Patients: Ignorance and NeglectPatricia Uber, PharmD, Kelly Summers, PharmD, and Mandeep R. Mehra, MBBSPatricia Uber, PharmDFrom University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993; and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201.Search for more papers by this author, Kelly Summers, PharmDFrom University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993; and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201.Search for more papers by this author, and Mandeep R. Mehra, MBBSFrom University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993; and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-153-1-201007060-00029 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: Half of all patients worldwide, and especially those with chronic illnesses, use nutraceuticals and nonprescription over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (1, 2). Persons with cardiovascular disease rank foremost in this respect (3). Many patients do not discuss their use of these agents with clinicians (1, 2).Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of cardiovascular clinicians' efforts in determining patient use of these agents and to measure clinicians' attitudes about assessing use of these agents.Methods: We conducted an institutional review board–approved, prospective, single-blind, observational study of attending cardiology specialists and cardiologists-in-training. A clinical pharmacist observed clinical encounters without interacting with the patient ...References1. Naidu S, Wilkinson JM, Simpson MD. Attitudes of Australian pharmacists toward complementary and alternative medicines. Ann Pharmacother. 2005;39:1456-61. [PMID: 15972324] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Oborne CA, Luzac ML. Over-the-counter medicine use prior to and during hospitalization. Ann Pharmacother. 2005;39:268-73. [PMID: 15644485] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Tachjian A, Maria V, Jahangir A. Use of herbal products and potential interactions in patients with cardiovascular diseases. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;55:515-25. [PMID: 20152556] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993; and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201.Note: Drs. Uber, Summers, and Mehra participated equally in the design of the study, analysis of the findings, and writing of the manuscript. Dr. Summers served as the observing pharmacist in all patient encounters.Disclaimer: The views and conclusions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. government.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 6 July 2010Volume 153, Issue 1Page: 65-66KeywordsCardiovascular diseasesConflicts of interestDrugsFoodNutritionObservational studiesPharmacistsQuestionnaires ePublished: 6 July 2010 Issue Published: 6 July 2010 CopyrightCopyright © 2010 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...