Australians with osteoarthritis; the use of and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines

Martin Basedow; William B Runciman; Lyn March; Adrian Esterman

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.08.002

Australians with osteoarthritis; the use of and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014 Nov;20(4):237-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.08.002. Epub 2014 Aug 20.

Authors

Martin Basedow¹, William B Runciman², Lyn March³, Adrian Esterman⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: martin.basedow@flinders.edu.au.
² Australian Institute of Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Australian Patient Safety Foundation, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: william.runciman@unisa.edu.au.
³ Faculty of Medicine and Department of Public Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: lyn.march@sydney.edu.au.
⁴ Sansom Institute of Health Service Research and School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: adrian.esterman@unisa.edu.au.

PMID: 25194303
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.08.002

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Attitudes; Complementary and alternative medicine; Osteoarthritis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Australia / epidemiology
Complementary Therapies / psychology*
Complementary Therapies / statistics & numerical data
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Osteoarthritis / epidemiology
Osteoarthritis / psychology*
Osteoarthritis / therapy*
Surveys and Questionnaires