Positive Health Online

Abstract

KABOLI and colleagues, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Iowa City 52242, USA, carried out a study to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and to identify factors associated with its use in older patients with arthritis .

Background

Methodology

The researchers conducted a population-based telephone survey of 480 elderly patients with arthritis to obtain data on demographics, co-morbidities, health status, arthritis symptoms and the use of CAM and traditional providers and treatments for arthritis.

Results

28% of respondents reported using CAM providers and 66% reported using one or more CAM treatments . Factors independently related to CAM provider use (p<0.05) included podiatrist or orthodontist use, physician visits for arthritis, and fair or poor self-reported health . Physical or occupational therapist use, physician visits for arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and alcohol abstinence were each independently associated with CAM treatment use . Rural residence, age, income, education, and health insurance type were unrelated to CAM use.

Conclusion

Many older patients with arthritis reported seeing CAM providers, and most used CAM treatments. Use of CAM for arthritis was most common among those patients with poorer self-assessed health and higher use of traditional health care resources .

References

Kaboli PJ et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by older patients with arthritis: a population-based study. Arthritis and Rheumatism 45 (4): 398-404. Aug 2001.