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标题：Characteristics, Preferences and Health Care Utilization in Patients Using a Dietary Supplement for Improving Sleeping Disturbances: Results from an Explorative Online Survey
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作者：Stefania Di Gangi ; Stefan Markun ; Thomas Rosemann 等
期刊名称：Patient Preference and Adherence
印刷版ISSN：1177-889X
电子版ISSN：1177-889X
出版年度：2020
卷号：Volume 14
页码：2531-2539
DOI：10.2147/PPA.S287881
出版社：Dove Medical Press Ltd
摘要：Purpose :Sleeping disturbances are highly prevalent in the general population, and pharmacological drug treatment harbours the risk of serious side effects. Many affected persons use dietary supplements for self-treating their symptoms, but little is known about the specific characteristics and preferences of these patients. Even less evidence exists about the consequences of a specific dietary supplement usage on health care utilization. The aim of this study was to explore characteristics, preferences and the impact on health care utilization in patients using a specific over-the-counter dietary supplement, which is promoted for improving sleeping disturbances. Patients and Methods :We conducted a structured survey and invited a sample of 297 customers of a specific dietary supplement to participate. The survey was open between June and September 2020. Participants were invited by email. All participants accepted an informed consent. Results :A total of 127 customers participated in the survey (participation rate: 42.8%). Of them, 87.7% were female and the mean age 50.5 years. Participants reported an overall good improvement of symptoms (7.66 on a ten-point Likert-scale) and showed a strong belief in the effectiveness of supplements in general; 67% of participants reported that the intake led to fever physician encounters, and 48.3% reported that they could stop the intake of other pharmaceutical sleeping drugs. Conclusion :A significant proportion of participants reported a substantial reduction in pharmaceutical drug use and health care utilization. While these self-reports lack an adequate control, they are still real consumer experiences, and the large beneficial effects - whether placebo or not - explain the popularity of such supplements and their therapeutic potential in sleeping disorders. © 2020 Di Gangi et al.
关键词：drugs;health care utilization;sleeping disorders;supplement use;usage patterns