Use of conventional care and complementary/alternative medicine among US adults with arthritis

Managing arthritis and co-morbid conditions is of public health importance. It is therefore critical to have a comprehensive understanding of healthcare utilization among US adults with arthritis. Thus, the present study identified characteristics associated with using both complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional healthcare.

Using 2007 National Health Interview Survey data, multinomial logistic regression was performed to compare four categories of past year healthcare use (both CAM and conventional care vs. conventional care only, CAM only, and no healthcare use) on their potential correlates.

The sample (n=3850) was 62.8% female and 80.4% non-Hispanic White. Nearly half were at least 65 years old, and had used both CAM and conventional services in the previous year. The following characteristics were associated with having used neither CAM nor conventional care in the previous year (vs. having used both CAM and conventional care): being from an ethnic and racial minority group (ORs=2.44, 3.26, and 3.91) and being uninsured (OR=4.06), identifying individuals potentially at risk for unmet need.

To ensure access to comprehensive care, potentially underserved populations should be targeted with outreach (e.g., providing low-cost, accessible care, and education about benefits of various treatments for arthritis and co-morbid conditions).