Complementary and alternative medicine use by patients in pediatric gastroenterology clinics

Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies among children seen in pediatric gastroenterology (GI) clinics is high. Multiple CAM therapies are effective as primary and adjuvant therapies for GI disorders and symptoms. Our study aimed to define the historical use of CAM and interest in CAM therapies in a specialized integrative medicine (IM) clinic among patients within an academic pediatric GI practice in the United States.

We conducted a survey of pediatric patients in outpatient GI clinics. Collected information included patient and caregiver demographics, GI symptoms, GI diagnoses, historical CAM use, interest in learning more about CAM therapies, and interest in an IM clinic. Associations between CAM use or interest and patient or caregiver demographics were tested using chi-square.

A total of 392 pediatric patients participated (47.2% female). The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (43.4%), constipation (34.7%), and reflux (25.8%). The most common GI disorders were eosinophilic esophagitis (11%), either irritable bowel syndrome or functional abdominal pain (4.3%), and inflammatory bowel disease (3.8%). Prior CAM use was reported by 35.7%. Respondents were most interested in learning more about supplements (36.7%), probiotics (30.6%), and yoga (18.9%). Approximately 86% of patients expressed interest in an IM clinic.

CAM use in our study is high. A large majority of respondents are interested in a clinic for complementary care. Our study highlights the support for ongoing education for physicians and patients, deeper investigation into CAM use for pediatric GI patients, and the creation of integrative clinical programs.