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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in women with pelvic floor disorders: a cohort study
Shannon L Slavin1, Rebecca G Rogers, Yuko Komesu
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC 10-5580, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
The objective of this study was to compare complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in women with and without pelvic floor disorders (PFD).
Methods:
We conducted a survey of women presenting to a specialty urogynecology (Urogyn) and gynecology (Gyn) clinic that examined demographic data, CAM use, and the presence of PFD (validated questionnaires). T tests, Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression were used for analysis. To detect a 20% difference between groups, 234 Urogyn and 103 Gyn patients were needed.
Results:
Participants included 234 Urogyn and 103 Gyn patients. Urogyn patients reported more CAM use than Gyn patients, even when controlled for differences between groups (51% vs. 32%, adjusted p = 0.006). Previous treatment (61% vs. 39%, adjusted p < 0.001) and increased number of PFD was associated with increased CAM use (adjusted p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
Women with PFD use CAM more frequently than women without PFD.
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