Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with cystic fibrosis

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016 Nov;25:68-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.08.006. Epub 2016 Aug 15.

Giangioppo S¹, Kalaci O², Radhakrishnan A³, Fleischer E⁴, Itterman J⁵, Lyttle B⁶, Price A⁷, Radhakrishnan D⁸.

Author information

• ¹Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: sgiangioppo@cheo.on.ca.
• ²Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: odion.kalaci@gmail.com.
• ³Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada. Electronic address: arun.radhakrishnan@utoronto.ca.
• ⁴Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: erin.fleischer@lhsc.on.ca.
• ⁵Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: Jennifer.ittermann@lhsc.on.ca.
• ⁶Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: brian.lyttle@lhsc.on.ca.
• ⁷Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: april.price@lhsc.on.ca.
• ⁸Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: dhenuka@gmail.com.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To estimate the overall prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use among children with cystic fibrosis, determine specific modalities used, predictors of use and subjective helpfulness or harm from individual modalities.

RESULTS:

Of 53 children attending the cystic fibrosis clinic in London, Ontario (100% recruitment), 79% had used complementary and alternative medicine. The most commonly used modalities were air purifiers, humidifiers, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids. Family complementary and alternative medicine use was the only independent predictor of overall use. The majority of patients perceived benefit from specific modalities for cystic fibrosis symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Given the high frequency and number of modalities used and lack of patient and disease characteristics predicting use, we recommend that health care providers should routinely ask about complementary and alternative medicine among all pediatric cystic fibrosis patients and assist patients in understanding the potential benefits and risks to make informed decisions about its use.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Children; Complementary and alternative medicine; Cystic fibrosis