TY - JOUR
T1 - Australians with osteoarthritis; the use of and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines
AU - Basedow, Martin
AU - Runciman, WB
AU - March, Lyn
AU - Esterman, Adrian
PY - 2014/11/1
Y1 - 2014/11/1
N2 - Objectives: To investigate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use amongst a cohort of osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers and to explore reasons for use. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess CAM use and its relationship with self-rated health status, patient knowledge of OA and attitudes towards OA management. Results: Sixty-nine percent of respondents (95% CI, 64%-73%) reported that they had tried CAM, with little difference between age groups and genders. Patients who had a better knowledge of their condition and excellent self-rated health were more likely to use CAM. An aversion to the side effects of conventional medicine, failure to engage in exercise, and a belief in the efficacy of CAM were the principal factors underlying use. Conclusion: As CAM use is a key component of the self-management strategies for a substantial proportion of Australians with OA, users need to be more fully informed about evidence of efficacy.
AB - Objectives: To investigate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use amongst a cohort of osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers and to explore reasons for use. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess CAM use and its relationship with self-rated health status, patient knowledge of OA and attitudes towards OA management. Results: Sixty-nine percent of respondents (95% CI, 64%-73%) reported that they had tried CAM, with little difference between age groups and genders. Patients who had a better knowledge of their condition and excellent self-rated health were more likely to use CAM. An aversion to the side effects of conventional medicine, failure to engage in exercise, and a belief in the efficacy of CAM were the principal factors underlying use. Conclusion: As CAM use is a key component of the self-management strategies for a substantial proportion of Australians with OA, users need to be more fully informed about evidence of efficacy.
KW - Attitudes
KW - Complementary and alternative medicine
KW - Osteoarthritis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84920046967&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.08.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.08.002
M3 - Article
VL - 20
SP - 237
EP - 242
JO - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
JF - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
SN - 1744-3881
IS - 4
ER -