Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies by patients referred to a fibromyalgia treatment program at a tertiary care center.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency and pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in patients referred to a fibromyalgia treatment program at a tertiary care center.


METHODS
Patients referred to the Mayo Fibromyalgia Treatment Program between February 2003 and July 2003 were invited on their initial visit to participate in a survey regarding CAM use during the previous 6 months. An 85-question survey that addressed different CAM domains was used.


RESULTS
Of the 304 patients invited to participate, 289 (95%) completed the survey (263 women and 26 men). Ninety-eight percent of the patients had used some type of CAM therapy during the previous 6 months. The 10 most frequently used CAM treatments were exercise for a specific medical problem (48%), spiritual healing (prayers) (45%), massage therapy (44%), chiropractic treatments (37%), vitamin C (35%), vitamin E (31%), magnesium (29%), vitamin B complex (25%), green tea (24%), and weight-loss programs (20%).


CONCLUSIONS
CAM use is common in patients referred to a fibromyalgia treatment program.
Wahner-Roedler
Dietlind L
DL
Department of Internal Medicine and Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA. wahnerroedler.dietlind@mayo.edu
Elkin
Peter L
PL
Vincent
Ann
A
Thompson
Jeffrey M
JM
Oh
Terry H
TH
Loehrer
Laura L
LL
Mandrekar
Jayawant N
JN
Bauer
Brent A
BA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003625:Data Collection; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins