Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among children with current asthma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Integrative Health
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Asthma affects millions of children, with management often involving conventional treatments.
• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) represents a diverse range of therapies used alongside or instead of conventional care.
• Understanding CAM prevalence in pediatric asthma is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in children diagnosed with current asthma.
• To identify factors associated with CAM utilization among pediatric asthma patients.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the 2006-2008 Asthma Call Back Survey (ACBS), a follow-up to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
• Inclusion of 5,435 children with current asthma, with parental reports on CAM usage in the preceding 12 months.
• Multivariate analysis to assess associations between CAM use and asthma control, cost barriers, and demographic factors.

Main Results:

• Approximately 26.7% of children with current asthma reported using CAM in the past year.
• The most frequent CAM therapies included breathing techniques (58.5%), vitamins (27.3%), and herbal products (12.8%).
• Children with poorly controlled asthma and those facing cost barriers to conventional care showed significantly higher odds of CAM use.

Conclusions:

• Poorly controlled asthma and healthcare cost barriers are significant predictors of CAM use in children.
• CAM utilization may serve as an indicator for identifying children who could benefit from enhanced patient and family education and support.
• Integrating awareness of CAM use into asthma management strategies may facilitate better disease control.