Author(s)

Mohamed Elamin Salih^1*, Hatim Alrizqi², Mohammed Hussain², Abdullah Alshumrani², Ismail Alhasani², Ali Alkhamisi², Hamzah Alsayed², Fahad Alqarni²

¹Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Umm AlQura, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
²Faculty of Medicine, University of Umm AlQura, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that is significantly impacted daily by environment. At least one in five Saudis, suffer from diabetes. “Diabetes is a pandemic of unprecedented magnitude spiraling out of control” (Boulton). Saudi Arabia ranks the second highest in the Middle East, and is the seventh in the world for the prevalence of diabetes (WHO). Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been found to be related to high mortality, morbidity accompanied by poor general health and lower quality of life. Current Saudi diabetes patients’ behaviors, practices, and beliefs regarding foot health problems such as ulcers, are not well investigated. Diabetic patients frequently utilize natural remedies and Herbs for self-medication as a part of complementary and alternative Medicine. Aim of study: To explore the widespread use of the alternative remedies in the local communities of the Western Saudi Arabia, the drives behind using and to focus on the potential adverse effects following their usage. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 386 diabetic patients with feet problems in Makkah Region, West of Saudi Arabia during the period April - June 2023. Results: Out of the 531 participants, only 386 participants reported diabetic foot disorder (DFD). Most of the participant were above 65 years of age group (24.61 %). Male (52.08%) more than female (47.92%) in the research group. All of the participants had diabetic foot disorders at least once. The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use among them was 67.88%, as solitary or in combination with hospital medicines. Honey headed the list followed by myrrh and black seeds. Acquaintances advice (59.54%) was the most reason for using the alternative medicine. 60.30% of Diabetic foot patient complained of adverse effects during CAM remedies use. Conclusion: Consumption of CAM remedies among diabetic patients for Diabetic Foot Disorder (DFD) is common. Honey headed the list followed by myrrh and black seeds. Additional wide-scale research is required to establish their actual efficacy, safety and potential adverse out-comes and to generalize the outcomes.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Diabetes, Complementary and Alternative Medicine CAM, West of Saudi Arabia

Salih, M. , Alrizqi, H. , Hussain, M. , Alshumrani, A. , Alhasani, I. , Alkhamisi, A. , Alsayed, H. and Alqarni, F. (2024) Use of Topical Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in Diabetic Septic Foot Disease in Makkah Region, Western of Saudi Arabia, an Exploratory Study. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 12, 245-258. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2024.123021.