Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in women with pelvic floor disorders: a cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in women with and without pelvic floor disorders (PFD).


METHODS
We conducted a survey of women presenting to a specialty urogynecology (Urogyn) and gynecology (Gyn) clinic that examined demographic data, CAM use, and the presence of PFD (validated questionnaires). T tests, Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression were used for analysis. To detect a 20% difference between groups, 234 Urogyn and 103 Gyn patients were needed.


RESULTS
Participants included 234 Urogyn and 103 Gyn patients. Urogyn patients reported more CAM use than Gyn patients, even when controlled for differences between groups (51% vs. 32%, adjusted p = 0.006). Previous treatment (61% vs. 39%, adjusted p < 0.001) and increased number of PFD was associated with increased CAM use (adjusted p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Women with PFD use CAM more frequently than women without PFD.
Slavin
Shannon L
SL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC 10-5580, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA.
Rogers
Rebecca G
RG
Komesu
Yuko
Y
Omotosho
Tola
T
Hammil
Sarah
S
Lewis
Cindi
C
Sapien
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000628:therapy*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*; D014932:Women's Health Services