Honey and children: only a grandma's panacea or a real useful tool?

Who are the patients who use non-pharmacological home remedies? Cross-sectional study in Switzerland and France

BACKGROUND

Many patients may be tempted to use non-pharmacological home remedies (NPHRs) to relieve various complaints. To the best of our knowledge, there is little data on the characteristics of patients using NPHRs. In this cross-sectional study carried out between March 2020 and July 2021, we examined the socio-demographic factors underlying their use in patient populations in Switzerland and France.

METHODS

Using official registries, we randomly selected 50 primary care physicians (PCPs) in Geneva (Switzerland) and Lyon/Grenoble (France). Seven research assistants consecutively recruited patients from PCP waiting rooms (20-25 patients per practice). Patients completed a paper-based questionnaire assessing the use [yes/no] of 304 NPHRs for 79 medical conditions. The NPHR list was developed by our team with input from 97 patients. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regressions, adjusting for intra-cluster correlations, to examine associations between NPHR use and patient characteristics (gender, age, practice location, nationality, education level, and self-rated health).

RESULTS

Of the 1198 eligible patients, 1012 agreed to participate (85%). Overall, 635 patients (63%) reported using at least one of the remedies tested in the study. In multivariable analysis, women (OR = 1.7 [95%CI = 1.3-2.3], P-value < 0.001), younger patients (< 40 years: OR = 2.1 [95%CI = 1.6-2.9], P-value < 0.001), and French patients (OR = 1.6 [95%CI = 1.1-2.3], P-value < 0.001) tended to use NPHRs more often than other patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients, particularly women, young people, and French patients, reported using NPHRs. This survey's findings hold the potential to inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers about the diverse preferences that shape patients' healthcare choices.

Designing blenderized tube feeding diets for children and investigating their physicochemical and microbial properties and Dietary Inflammatory Index

BACKGROUND

Due to the benefits of blenderized tube feeding (BTF) diets, the interest in using them is increasing. This study aimed to design BTFs for children and investigate their physicochemical and microbial properties, as well as Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII).

METHODS

Five BTF diets were formulated mainly with fresh foods; their DII, physical (viscosity), and chemical (moisture, ash, protein, fat, energy, and micronutrients) characteristics were assessed. Also, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system was implemented for quality assurance of preparation, storage, and delivery of BTFs to patients in hospital. The microbial contamination (total count, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive, mold, and yeast) was analyzed.

RESULTS

Energy and percentages of protein, fat, and carbohydrate in BTFs were in the range of 103-112 kcal/100 ml, 16%-22%, 28%-34%, and 48%-52%, respectively. The viscosity of the five developed BTFs was between 29 and 64 centipoises, which allows the formulas to flow without syringe pressure. The DII of all BTFs was between -0.73 and -2.24. Due to the implementation of HACCP, monitoring the production line of BTFs, and performance of corrective measures, no microbial contamination was observed by indicator pathogenic microorganisms.

CONCLUSION

A planned BTF diet can be an excellent selection for children using enteral nutrition with tube feeding especially when they are made from fresh and anti-inflammatory foods such as recipes prepared in this study.