Document Detail


Australian adults use complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of chronic illness: a national study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21806735     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the prevalence of the use of vitamin/mineral supplements or natural/herbal remedies, concurrent use of pharmaceutical medication, and to profile those most likely to use these complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the treatment of five chronic conditions identified as national health priorities (asthma, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart or circulatory condition) within the Australian adult population. Methods: Analysis of the Australian National Health Survey database, 2004-05. Results: Approximately 24% (1.3 million) of Australian adults with a chronic condition regularly applied CAM to treatment. CAM was most often used exclusively or in combination with pharmaceutical medicine in the treatment of arthritis and osteoporosis. Fewer than 10% of adults with asthma, diabetes or a heart or circulatory condition used CAM, most preferring pharmaceutical medicine. Regular CAM users were more likely to be aged ≥60, female, have a secondary school education and live in households with lower incomes than non-users. Non-users were more likely to be 30-59 years old and tertiary educated. Conclusion and implications: Arthritis, osteoporosis and, to a lesser extent, heart or circulatory conditions are illnesses for which doctors should advise, and patients need to be most aware about the full effects of CAM and possible interactive effects with prescribed medicine. They are also conditions for which research into the interactive effects of CAM and pharmaceutical medication would seem of most immediate benefit.
Authors:
Andrew R Armstrong; Sophie P Thiébaut; Laurie J Brown; Binod Nepal
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Australian and New Zealand journal of public health     Volume:  35     ISSN:  1753-6405     ISO Abbreviation:  Aust N Z J Public Health     Publication Date:  2011 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-08-02     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9611095     Medline TA:  Aust N Z J Public Health     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  384-90     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
© 2011 The Authors. ANZJPH © 2011 Public Health Association of Australia.
Affiliation:
National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), University of Canberra, Australian National Territory and Saint-Louis Hospital, Dept. Clinical Research (PRO Unit), Paris, France National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), University of Canberra, Australian National Territory and Inserm SE4S, Marseille, France National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), University of Canberra, Australian National Territory.
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