Evaluation of the use of complementary and alternative medicine in the largest United States-Mexico border city.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the El Paso, Texas, region.


METHODS
Prospective observational study conducted from April-October 2000.


METHODS
Several hospitals and clinics.


METHODS
Five hundred forty-seven participants.


METHODS
Semi-structured interview with a bilingual questionnaire.


RESULTS
Complementary and alternative medicine was used in 77% of our population. The most common CAM providers were massage therapists (19.4%) and herbalists (12.4%). The most common herbal or home remedies were chamomile (13.1%) and aloe vera (8.5%). The most common nutritional or commercial products were multivitamins (16%), ginseng (3.6%), and ginkgo biloba (2.8%). We identified 599 CAM usages that could result in drug interactions, disease interactions, or adverse reactions.


CONCLUSIONS
A wide range of CAM use was documented in this study. Our results indicate that Hispanics in this area use CAM at a higher rate than national trends. Many of these therapies can adversely affect a variety of disease states and drug therapies.
Rivera
José O
JO
University of Texas at El Paso-University of Texas at Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program, 79902, USA.
Ortiz
Melchor
M
Lawson
Mark E
ME
Verma
Kalpana M
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States