A multicenter study of complementary and alternative medicine usage among ED patients.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage among emergency department (ED) patients.


METHODS
This study was a cross-sectional study in four Boston-area EDs. For two 24-hour periods, the authors interviewed consecutive patients age 18 and older about whether they had ever used or had recently (within the past year) used CAM "remedies" (e.g., herbal treatments) or "therapies" (e.g., chiropractic). The authors also asked about the patient's disclosure of CAM usage to allopathic health care providers.


RESULTS
Of 978 patients, 752 patients were eligible. Among these, 539 (72%) were interviewed. Of these patients, ever having used CAM was reported by 57% (95% CI = 52% to 61%), and 37% (95% CI = 33% to 41%) reported use in the past year. In a multivariate model of recent CAM usage, independent predictors were younger age, higher education level, and chronic pain. Patients who spoke Spanish as their primary language were less likely to report CAM usage. Disclosure of CAM usage to allopathic providers was low, yet >80% reported that they would be comfortable discussing their CAM usage with allopathic providers.


CONCLUSIONS
CAM usage was common among ED patients enrolled in our study, despite underreporting to ED staff. Given the growing evidence of benefits and hazards from popular CAM remedies and therapies, ED staff should consider raising this health issue with their patients.
Kim
Sunghye
S
Director, EMNet Coordinating Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 326 Cambridge Street, Suite 410, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Hohrmann
Jessica L
JL
Clark
Sunday
S
Munoz
Karla N
KN
Braun
Josef E
JE
Doshi
Arpi
A
Radeos
Michael S
MS
Camargo
Carlos A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged