title: Characteristics associated with use of homeopathic drugs for psychiatric symptoms in the general population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore which patient characteristics are associated in naturalistic conditions with the lifetime use of homeopathic treatment for psychiatric symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lifetime use of psychotropic treatment was explored in a sample of 36,785 persons, participating in the Mental Health Survey in the General Population. Characteristics associated with use of homeopathic treatments, associated or not with conventional psychotropic drugs, were explored using multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of homeopathic treatment for psychiatric symptoms was reported by 1.3% of persons. Younger age, female gender and high educational level were associated with use of homeopathy. Half of homeopathy users presented at least one Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnosis, most frequently anxiety disorders. Their diagnostic profile was similar to that of persons reporting use of anxiolytics or hypnotics. Compared to persons with no lifetime use of psychotropic drugs, persons using homeopathy were more likely to present with a diagnosis of mood disorder or anxiety disorder. Compared to those using conventional psychotropic drugs, they presented less frequently with psychiatric disorders, with the exception of anxiety disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homeopathic treatment for psychiatric symptoms appears to be used mainly to reduce anxiety symptoms in the general population.
authors.affiliation: Université Victor-Segalen-Bordeaux-2, 33076 Bordeaux, France; Inserm, U 657, 33076 Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grolleau
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bégaud
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Verdoux
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D008419:Materia Medica; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs