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Are users of complementary and alternative medicine sicker than non-users?
1The Hebrew University and the Gertner Institute and The Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel. ashmueli@md2.huji.ac.il
Summary
Users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) report worse health outcomes. Pain and emotional distress are key drivers for seeking CAM, even as it becomes more mainstream.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use is increasing, often linked to higher socioeconomic status and dissatisfaction with conventional medicine.
- Limited research exists on the health status differences between CAM users and non-users.
- Understanding these differences is crucial as CAM gains mainstream acceptance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the health status of CAM users and non-users using the SF-36 instrument.
- To determine the influence of specific SF-36 health domains on the likelihood of consulting CAM providers.
- To analyze trends in CAM utilization and its health correlates over time.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional surveys of the Israeli Jewish urban population aged 45-75 in 1993 (n=2000) and 2000 (n=2500).
- Data collected via interviews, including SF-36 health survey.
- Statistical analyses included bivariate and logistic regression models.
Main Results:
- CAM users generally reported worse health across all eight SF-36 domains compared to non-users in both survey years.
- Users exhibited higher socioeconomic status and were younger on average.
- In 2000, lower scores in bodily pain, role-emotional, and vitality significantly predicted CAM use after controlling for other factors.
Conclusions:
- Individuals utilizing CAM tend to perceive their health as poorer than non-users.
- Bodily pain and emotional distress appear to be primary motivators for CAM consultation.
- The findings highlight the role of symptom burden in driving CAM use, particularly for pain and affective issues.
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