Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in African Americans With Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ashutosh Tamhane, University of Alabama Birmingham; Gerald McGwin, University of Alabama Birmingham; David T. Redden, University of Alabama Birmingham; Laura B. Hughes, University of Alabama Birmingham; Elizabeth E. Brown, University of Alabama Birmingham; Andrew O. Westfall, University of Alabama Birmingham; Doyt L Conn, Emory University; Beth L. Jonas, University of North Carolina; Edwin Smith, Emory University; Richard D. Brasington, Washington University; Larry W. Moreland, University of Pittsburgh; S. Louis Bridges, Jr., University of Alabama Birmingham; Leigh F. Callahan, University of North Carolina
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-02-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Rheumatology.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/acr.22148
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Arthritis Care and Research
• ISSN: 2151-464X
• Volume: 66
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 180
• End Page: 189
• Grant/Funding Information: Supported by the NIH (contract N01-AR-02247, grant P60-AR-48095 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center; and grant UL1-TR-000165 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; and National Center for Research Resources).
• Keywords: EFFICACY; Rheumatology; Science & Technology; ASSOCIATION; THERAPIES; NATIONAL-SURVEY; HEALTH INTERVIEW SURVEY; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; REMEDIES; UNITED-STATES; TRENDS; CARE; PREVALENCE
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Objective: Racial/ethnic differences with regard to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use have been reported in the US. However, specific details of CAM use by African Americans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are lacking. Methods: Data were collected from African Americans with RA enrolled in a multicenter registry regarding the use of CAM, including food supplements, topical applications, activities, and alternative care providers. Factors associated with CAM use by sex and disease duration were assessed using t-test, Wilcoxon's rank sum test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the 855 participants, 85% were women and mean age at enrollment was 54 years. Overall, ever using any of the CAM treatments, activities, and providers was 95%, 98%, and 51%, respectively (median of 3 for number of treatments, median of 5 for activities, and median of 1 for providers). Those with longer disease duration (>2 years) were significantly more likely (odds ratio ≥2.0, P < 0.05) to use raisins soaked in vodka/gin, to take fish oils, or to drink alcoholic beverages for RA treatment than those with early disease. As compared to men, women were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to pray/attend church, write in a journal, and use biofeedback, but were less likely to smoke tobacco or topically apply household oils for treatment of RA. Conclusion: CAM use was highly prevalent in this cohort, even in individuals with early disease. Health care providers need to be aware of CAM use as some treatments may potentially have interactions with conventional medicines. This could be important within this cohort of African Americans, where racial disparities are known to affect access to conventional care.