Renal Profile of Herbal Medicine Users versus Non-users: an Exploratory Cross-sectional Study in a Family Medicine Clinic in Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundA major risk of herbal medicine is the potential for toxicity and serious side effects. Unlike orthodox medicine, herbs are usually consumed without prior safety assessment via clinical studies. This means the clinical effects of herbs may be detected only through an assessment of health parameters of consumers.ObjectiveTo evaluate participants’ renal profile, comparing that of herb users with non-users, thereby identifying any differences between the two groups.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingPrimary care clinic of a teaching hospital in NigeriaParticipants341 patients participated in the study. Of these, 60% were female and 80 % were of Hausa/Fulani ethnicity. All adult patients attending the clinic were eligible. Very sick patients were excluded from the research.Primary outcomeestimated glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria and proteinuria among patients who reported using herbs and those who did not report any use.Secondary outcomeelectrolyte, urea, and creatinine levels among study participants.ResultsThe mean eGFR for participants who used herbs was 87.47 ± 25.44 ml/min/1.73m2and 84.76 ± 25.49 ml/min/1.73m2for those who never used herbs (P value 0.48). Proteinuria ≥0.3g/l was present in 29(8.50%) of participants, and microalbuminuria ≥30mg/l in 138 (40.47%). There was no statistically significant difference in the renal parameters of both groups.ConclusionThe study could not establish harmful effect of the herbs reported on kidney function. Further studies in human subjects of the effect of herbal medicine on the kidney and other systems are suggested.Article SummaryStrengths and LimitationsThis study provides empiric evidence to compare renal function among users of herbal medicine and others.The study provides a detailed evaluation of renal function in the participants using estimated glomerular filtration rate, as well as urine protein and microalbumin estimation.It identifies the common herbs used in a primary care clinic in the most populous black nation.A major limitation of the study is that the quantity and frequency of herbal medicine use were not measured.