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Published on: August 25, 2023
Australians with osteoarthritis; the use of and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines
Martin Basedow1, William B Runciman2, Lyn March3
1School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Objectives:
To investigate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use amongst a cohort of osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers and to explore reasons for use.
Methods:
A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess CAM use and its relationship with self-rated health status, patient knowledge of OA and attitudes towards OA management.
Results:
Sixty-nine percent of respondents (95% CI, 64%-73%) reported that they had tried CAM, with little difference between age groups and genders. Patients who had a better knowledge of their condition and excellent self-rated health were more likely to use CAM. An aversion to the side effects of conventional medicine, failure to engage in exercise, and a belief in the efficacy of CAM were the principal factors underlying use.
Conclusion:
As CAM use is a key component of the self-management strategies for a substantial proportion of Australians with OA, users need to be more fully informed about evidence of efficacy.
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