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The Incidence of Vitamin, Mineral, Herbal, and Other Supplement Use in Facial Cosmetic Patients
Samantha Zwiebel, Michelle Lee, Brendan Alleyne, Bahman Guyuron
Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
2013-01-24
Presenter: Samantha Zwiebel
Affidavit:
Ms. Zwiebel assisted in developing the project, collected the data herself, and analyzed the data herself.
Director Name: Hooman Soltanian
Author Category: Medical Student
Abstract Category: Aesthetics
Background
Dietary supplement usage is common in the United States. Some herbal supplements may cause coagulopathy, hypertension, or dry eyes. The goal of this study is to reveal the incidence of herbal supplement use in the cosmetic surgery population.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective chart review of 200 patients undergoing facial cosmetic surgery by a single surgeon was performed. Variables studied included patient age, sex, surgical procedure, herbal medication usage, and intraoperative variables. Exclusion criteria were age less than 15, non-cosmetic procedures such as trauma, and incomplete preoperative medication form. Patients were subdivided into the supplement user group (Herbal) and the supplement non-user group (Non-Herbal). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, student�s t-test, and chi square analysis.
Results
The incidence of supplement use was 49% in the 200 patients. 24.5% of patients used only vitamins or minerals, 2.5% of patients used only animal- and plant-based supplements, and 22% of patients used both kinds of supplements. In the Herbal group, patients used an average of 2.8 supplements. The Herbal and Non-Herbal group differed significantly in gender (Herbal 89.8% vs. Non-Herbal 77.5%, p<0.04) and age (Herbal 51.4 vs. Non-Herbal 38.5 years old, p<0.001). 17.5% of all patients used supplements with increased risk of bleeding.
Conclusion
Herbal supplement usage is prevalent in the facial cosmetic surgery population, especially in the older female population. Given the potential ill effects of these products on surgery and recovery, it is imperative to be aware of supplement usage and to halt consumption when necessary.
