CAM use among older adults age 65 or older with hypertension in the United States: general use and disease treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Hypertension (HT) is a common condition among older adults that greatly increases morbidity and mortality risk. Although a number of antihypertensive therapies are currently available, adherence and control are low. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among older adults with HT.


METHODS
Using a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, the authors examined the prevalence of CAM use among older adults with and without diagnosed HT and the degree to which CAM is used specifically for HT treatment.


METHODS
Subjects were 5821 adults age > or = 65 who participated in the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), including the Alternative Health supplement.


METHODS
HT status was assessed by self-report. CAM use was classified as any CAM use, use of four CAM modalities, and specific CAM therapies.


RESULTS
Any CAM use was higher for persons with HT compared to those without diagnosed HT (69.5% versus 65.6%). Only 7.8% of CAM users reported using CAM to treat HT. Homeopathic treatment (16.7%), healing ritual (14.5%), and diet-based therapies (13.0%) were the most common HT therapies. Frequency of use of specific types of CAM therapies did not differ by HT status other than for biologically based therapies, which were used less often by those with HT.


CONCLUSIONS
CAM use is high among older adults with HT, but the vast majority of CAM is used for treating or preventing other conditions. Healthcare providers treating patients with HT should be aware of CAM among their patients.
Bell
Ronny A
RA
Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA. rbell@wfubmc.edu
Suerken
Cynthia K
CK
Grzywacz
Joseph G
JG
Lang
Wei
W
Quandt
Sara A
SA
Arcury
Thomas A
TA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology