Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by U.S. Adults with Self-Reported Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis: Results from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have been reported for the management of arthritis. However, little is known about CAM use among adults with self-reported doctor-diagnosed (SRDD) arthritis since 2012.

OBJECTIVES: To determine: 1) the prevalence and type of CAM use, 2) the difference in characteristics between CAM users and non-CAM users, and 3) the factors related to CAM use, among US adults with SRDD arthritis.

DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the 2012 National Interview Health Survey (NHIS) data.

SETTING: The NHIS is a cross-sectional survey that gathers health-related data on the civilian, non-institutionalized U.S.

POPULATION: The NHIS 2012 uses a complex, multi-stage sampling design and oversamples minorities to achieve population representation, and included 34,525 adults, with 7,179 adults having SRDD arthritis.

METHODS: Data were analyzed using Stata 15.1 survey syntax. The potential factors related to CAM use included socio-demographics and health related characteristics.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: CAM modalities were categorized into six groups: natural products, manipulative therapies, mind-body therapies, special diets, movement therapies, and other practitioner-based CAM modalities.

RESULTS: Of the adults with SRDD arthritis, 2,428 (weighted estimate of 36.2% of US adult population) had used CAM within the last year. Adults with SRDD arthritis reported greater use of CAM than those without, particularly the use of natural products, manipulative therapies and other practitioner-based CAM modalities. Factors associated with higher CAM use included being female, residing in regions other than the U.S. South, having a college degree or higher, reporting very good/excellent self-rated health status and having current symptoms of joint stiffness/pain.

CONCLUSION: As more than one-third of US adults with SRDD arthritis seek CAM therapies, open and non-judgmental conversations between conventional medicine providers, CAM providers and patients should be encouraged to ensure patient health care needs are being met. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.