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Highlights
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- CAM is used by a high proportion of people with an iatrogenic HCV infection.
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- CAM use is similar between people with current and resolved HCV infection.
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- The main CAM service used by people with iatrogenic HCV infection is reflexology.
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- Key reasons for using CAM; relief from aches and pains/muscles problems and stress.
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- Further research is required to determine the direct health benefits of CAM.
Summary
Introduction
A
cohort of people with iatrogenic HCV infection, current or resolved, in
Ireland have access to primary and secondary health care services,
including specified complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
services, free of charge.
Objectives
Information
about their pattern of CAM usage and its association with various
demographic and lifestyle factors, and current HCV status, was sought as
part of a health and lifestyle survey, in order to provide information
for health service planning.
Design and methods
The
survey was carried out by self-administered postal questionnaire. The
level of CAM usage was compared to an age- and sex-matched sample of the
general population.
Results
The
response was 48% (720/1485). Compared to the general population, the
HCV population was significantly more likely to have attended a CAM
practitioner (50.1% vs 23.9%, OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.7–3.9). Within the HCV
population, multivariate analysis showed that females (OR 3.1; 95% CI
1.9–4.9), those who reported fibromyalgia (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.8–3.9) and
those who reported anxiety (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0–2.0) were significantly
more likely to have used CAM, and smokers significantly less likely (OR
0.6; 95% CI 0.4–0.8). CAM attendance did not vary by current HCV status.
Reflexology, acupuncture and massage were the most commonly used forms
of CAM.
Conclusions
This study
demonstrates that CAM services are used by a high proportion of people
with iatrogenic chronic HCV. A more holistic approach to health care,
using a biopsychosocial model framework, may better meet the physical
and psychological health needs of this group.
Keywords
- Iatrogenic HCV infection;
- Biopsychosocial model of health;
- Health and lifestyle survey;
- Complementary alternative medicine;
- CAM
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
