Therapy-dependent inconsistencies in self-reported use of complementary and alternative medicine in the general population: findings from a longitudinal study

ObjectiveInformation on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the general population is often collected by means of surveys, causing the reliability of data to rely on the memory accuracy of the respondent. The objective of this study was to examine the consistency in self-reported CAM use using data from two survey waves 4 years apart.DesignLongitudinal study.Setting/participantsData were obtained from the Danish Health and Morbidity Surveys. A nationally representative subsample of the individuals invited in 2013 was reinvited in 2017. In all, 2297 individuals (≥16 years) completed the self-administered questionnaire in both waves, including questions on for example, CAM use.Main outcome measuresThe use of six different CAM therapies (acupuncture; craniosacral therapy; faith healing and/or clairvoyance; nutritional counselling; massage; osteopathy or other manipulative therapies; reflexology) was assessed by the response categories ‘Yes, within the past 12 months’, ‘Yes, but previously than within the past 12 months’ and ‘No’. For each CAM therapy, an inconsistent response was defined as either the response combination (1) ‘Yes, within the past 12 months’ in 2013 and ‘No’ in 2017, or (2) ‘Yes, within the past 12 months’ or ‘Yes, but previously than within the past 12 months’ in 2013 and ‘No’ in 2017.ResultsThe inconsistency percentages varied across CAM therapies. The highest levels of inconsistency for CAM use within the past 12 months were observed for nutritional counselling (64.9 %) and faith healing and/or clairvoyance (36.4 %). The lowest proportion of inconsistent responses was observed for acupuncture (18.3%). Overall, the same pattern was observed for lifetime CAM use.ConclusionsThe results highlight the difficulty in obtaining reliable prevalence estimates on the use of CAM in the general population. Future studies should take these findings into account when interpreting similar analyses.

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Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Utilization among Adults with Arthritis in the United States

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/8739170 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Monira Alwhaibi ◽

Yazed AlRuthia ◽

Abdulkarim M. Meraya

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Functional Limitation ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

The United States ◽

Utilization Rate ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

The Past ◽

Cam Use ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Objective. To examine the association between sex and the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among adults with arthritis. Methods. Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey on CAM use for adults with arthritis were analyzed. Five different multivariable regression models were used to examine the association between sex and CAM use after adjusting for demographics, socioeconomics, perceived health status, functional limitations, comorbid chronic conditions, body mass index, and personal health practices. Results. The number of subjects who met the eligibility criteria and were eventually included in the study was 7,919 adults with arthritis. Around half of the study sample reported ever using CAM (n = 4,055), and about 27% (n = 2,016) reported using CAM in the past 12 months. Women have a significantly higher rate of ever utilization of CAM compared to their male counterparts (62.2% vs. 37.8%) as well as CAM use over the past 12 months (66.1% vs. 33.9%). After controlling for other covariates that can potentially affect the use of CAM, women had higher odds of ever using CAM (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.55–1.81) as well as the CAM use in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.49–1.78) compared to men. Functional limitation and multiple comorbidities were associated with CAM use among women. Conclusions. The utilization rate of CAM among women with arthritis is significantly higher compared to their male counterparts, which highlights the need to screen adults with arthritis, particularly women, for potential drug-CAM interactions. Also, practicing patient-centered care is important, which should allow the patients to discuss the potential benefits and risks of CAM use with their healthcare providers.

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Predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer Care: Results of a Nationwide Multicenter Survey in Korea

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2012/212386 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ji-Yeon Shin ◽

So Young Kim ◽

Boyoung Park ◽

Jae-Hyun Park ◽

Jin Young Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Multicenter Survey ◽

Cam Use ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Time Since Diagnosis ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Background. Although studies have shown that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common in cancer patients, few surveys have assessed CAM use and associated factors in various cancers in Korea.Objectives. We explored factors predicting CAM use among a nationally representative sample of cancer patients.Methods. In total, 2,661 cancer patients were administered questionnaires about their CAM use and factors that might predict CAM use including sociodemographics, clinical and quality-of-life factors, time since diagnosis, trust in physicians, trust in hospitals, satisfaction, and informational needs. Data were analyzed using Pearson’sχ2tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results. Overall, 25.5% reported that they had used or were using CAM. Higher income, presence of metastasis, longer time since diagnosis, less trust in hospitals, lower overall satisfaction, and higher degree of informational need were significantly associated with CAM use.Conclusions. The use of CAM in patients with cancer can be interpreted as an attempt to explore all possible options, expression of an active coping style, or expression of unmet needs in the cancer care continuum. Physicians need to openly discuss the use of CAM with their patients and identify whether they have other unmet supportive needs.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Slovakia: Results of a National Population Survey

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/21582440211068480 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 215824402110684

Author(s):

Ivan Souček ◽

Roman Hofreiter

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Adult Population ◽

Female Gender ◽

Medical Systems ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Complementary And Alternative

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe has intensely increased in recent decades. To acquire information about the patterns and trends of CAM use in Slovakia, a nationwide representative survey was conducted on Slovakian adult population. A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was administered to the general population of Slovakian residents aged 18 years and over. The respondents were interviewed face-to-face by professional interviewers. Data were collected during September 2019 as a part of an omnibus survey on a variety of subjects. Altogether, 82.4% of the respondents reported either regular CAM method use or the lifetime prevalence of such use. The most frequently reported group of methods were biologically based treatments (78.9%), followed by manipulative and body-based methods (54.4%), mind-body interventions (31.9%), whole medical systems (18.2%), and energy therapies (4.2%). Vitamins (71.1%), herbal teas (68.1%), massages (53.6%), religious healing (20.3%), and special diets (18.8%) were the five most commonly preferred CAM modalities. Female gender, higher income and higher education are significant predictors of CAM use. The study highlights the association between satisfaction with healthcare systems, health situations, and the use of CAM.

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The use of complementary and alternative medicine in Iceland: Results from a national health survey

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494819863529 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 602-608

Author(s):

Thora Jenny Gunnarsdottir ◽

Brynja Örlygsdóttir ◽

Rúnar Vilhjálmsson

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

National Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

National Health Survey ◽

Physician Visits ◽

The Past ◽

Cam Use ◽

The Relationship ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased in Western societies in recent years. In a national health survey conducted in 2006 in Iceland, 31.8% of the population had used CAM in the past 12 months; however, the trend of CAM use since then is unknown. This study’s aim was to describe participants’ use of CAM providers in Iceland in 2015 and compare it to the results of the previous survey. The current study explored the relationship between the participants’ use of CAM and their background, religiosity, healthcare attitudes, mental and physical health, and physician visits. Methods: The study was based on a national health survey conducted in the Spring of 2015. The questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of Icelandic adults, aged 18–75. Altogether 1599 respondents returned valid questionnaires (response rate 58%). The standardized questions were developed and tested in previous health surveys. Results: Nearly 40% of respondents had used CAM in the past 12 months. This is an estimated 8.4% increase since 2006. Women and people with more education were more likely than other participants to use CAM. Repeated physician visits were related to increased likelihood of CAM use. Individuals with high anxiety were more likely than others to use CAM. Conclusions: Icelanders use CAM providers to a considerable degree, and CAM use has increased in recent years. Most CAM users appear to use CAM to complement care received in the general health system.

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Sex Differences in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/2067095 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Monira Alwhaibi ◽

Usha Sambamoorthi

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Past ◽

Cam Use ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Objective. To examine sex differences in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among adults with multiple chronic conditions.Methods. This study used a cross-sectional design with data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. The participants were interviewed in 2012 and the reference period for the questions in the survey varied from 1 week to 12 months prior to the interview date. The study included adults (age > 21 years) with no missing data on CAM use variables and who had multiple chronic conditions. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the association between sex and CAM use.Results. A significantly higher percentage of women compared to men had ever used CAM (51.5% versus 44.3%); women were more likely to have ever used CAM (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.35–1.65). Among CAM users, a higher percentage of women compared to men used CAM in the past 12 months (53.5% vs. 42.7%); women were more likely to use CAM in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.49–1.97). Factors associated with CAM use in the past 12 months were different for men and women; income and obesity were associated with CAM use in the past 12 months among women and not among men.Conclusion. Among adults with multiple chronic conditions, women were more likely to use CAM as compared to men.

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The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Lebanese Adults: Results from a National Survey

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/682397 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

F. Naja ◽

M. Alameddine ◽

L. Itani ◽

H. Shoaib ◽

D. Hariri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Objective. To examine the prevalence and correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in Lebanon.Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted through face to face interviews on a nationally representative sample of 1,475 Lebanese adults. The survey questionnaire explored the sociodemographic and health related characteristics as well as the types and modes of CAM use. The main outcome in this study was the use of CAM during the last 12 months.Results. Prevalence of CAM use was 29.87% with “folk herbs” being the most commonly used (75%). Two out of five CAM users indicated using it as alternative to conventional therapies and only 28.4% of users disclosed the use of CAM to their physician. CAM use was significantly associated with higher income, presence of a chronic disease, and lack of access to needed health care. Lower odds of CAM use were observed among older adults and those with a higher education level.Conclusions. This study revealed a high prevalence of CAM use in Lebanon. Health policy and decision makers need to facilitate proper regulation and integration of CAM into mainstream medicine and educate health care providers and the public alike on the safe and effective use of CAM therapies.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Survey of Its Use in Pediatric Oncology

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/527163 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Rafiaa Valji ◽

Denise Adams ◽

Simon Dagenais ◽

Tammy Clifford ◽

Lola Baydala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Pediatric Oncology ◽

Prescription Drugs ◽

Chronic Illnesses ◽

Faith Healing ◽

Children's Hospital ◽

Children’S Hospital ◽

Cam Use ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Background.The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is high among children and youths with chronic illnesses, including cancer. The objective of this study was to assess prevalence and patterns of CAM use among pediatric oncology outpatients in two academic clinics in Canada.Procedure.A survey was developed to ask patients (or their parents/guardians) presenting to oncology clinics at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa about current or previous use of CAM products and practices.Results.Of the 137 families approached, 129 completed the survey. Overall CAM use was 60.5% and was not significantly different between the two hospitals. The most commonly reported reason for not using CAM was lack of knowledge about it. The most common CAM products ever used were multivitamins (86.5%), vitamin C (43.2%), cold remedies (28.4%), teething remedies (27.5%), and calcium (23.0%). The most common CAM practices ever used were faith healing (51.0%), massage (46.8%), chiropractic (27.7%), and relaxation (25.5%). Many patients (40.8%) used CAM products at the same time as prescription drugs.Conclusion.CAM use was high among patients at two academic pediatric oncology clinics. Although most respondents felt that their CAM use was helpful, many were not discussing it with their physicians.

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The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by the General Population in the Czech Republic: A Follow-Up Study

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000479229 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 159-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jitka Pokladnikova ◽

Iva Selke-Krulichova

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

General Population ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Cam Use ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Background: The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) ranges between 0.3% and 86% in most highly developed countries. In the Czech Republic, CAM is used by 76% of the general population. Our aim was to examine patterns in CAM use among a representative sample of the general population in the Czech Republic, for 2011 and 2014. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A sex-, age- and region-stratified sample of citizens aged 15 years and older was randomly selected from the 2014 voter registration lists (n = 8,395,132). A comparative analysis of data collected in 2011 and 2014 was performed. Results: Overall, 76.0% (N = 1,365) versus 87.0% (N = 1,565) of the respondents reported use of 1 or more CAM modalities during the past 30 days, in 2011 and 2014, respectively (p < 0.001). In both years, the top 4 CAM modalities used were vitamins/minerals, herbal teas, massage, and relaxation. Yoga replaced dietary supplements excluding vitamins/minerals in the 5th position. Nevertheless, only herbal teas (48.0% vs. 53.0%, p = 0.002), massage (20.0% vs. 26.0%, p < 0.001), relaxation (10.0% vs. 19.0%, p < 0.001), and yoga (3.7% vs. 7.1%, p < 0.001) showed a significant increase in use. Conclusions: The prevalence of CAM use in the Czech Republic is increasing, especially among people who use biological, body- and mind-based CAM therapies. There is a great need to educate students and health care professionals about the efficacy and safety of CAM in order to meet the patients' demands on CAM.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Slovakia: Results of a National Population Survey

10.31124/advance.14815149.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ivan Soucek ◽

Roman Hofreiter

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Female Gender ◽

Medical Systems ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Religious Healing ◽

Cam Use ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Introduction: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe has intensely increased in recent decades. To acquire information about the patterns and trends of CAM use in Slovakia, a nationwide representative survey was conducted on Slovakian adult population. Methods: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was administered to the general population of Slovakian residents aged 18 years and over. The respondents were interviewed face-to-face by professional interviewers. Data were collected during September 2019 as a part of an omnibus survey on a variety of subjects. Results: Altogether, 82.4% of the respondents reported either regular CAM method use or the lifetime prevalence of such use. The most frequently reported group of methods were biologically based treatments (78.9%), followed by manipulative and body-based methods (54.4%), mind-body interventions (31.9%), whole medical systems (18.2%) and energy therapies (4.2%). Vitamins (71.1%), herbal teas (68.1%), massages (53.6%), religious healing (20.3%) and special diets (18.8%) were the five most commonly preferred CAM modalities. It was indicated that female respondents with higher household income are more likely to use CAM. Conclusions: Female gender, higher income and higher education are significant predictors of CAM use. The study highlights the association between satisfaction with healthcare systems, health situations, and the use of CAM.

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