title: Use of complementary medications among older adults with cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about complementary medication use among older adults with cancer, particularly those who are receiving chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of complementary medication use and to identify the factors associated with its use among older adults with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence of complementary medication use (defined as herbal agents, minerals, or other dietary supplements, excluding vitamins) was evaluated in a cohort of adults aged ≥65 years who were about to start chemotherapy for their cancer. The associations between complementary medication use and patient characteristics (sociodemographics; comorbidities; and functional, nutritional, psychological, and cognitive status), medication use (number of medications and concurrent vitamin use), and cancer characteristics (type and stage) were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cohort included 545 patients (mean age, 73 years; range, 65-91 years; 52% women) with cancer (61% stage IV). Seventeen percent of these patients (N = 93) reported using ≥1 complementary medication; the mean number of complementary medications among users was 2 (range, 1-10 medications). Complementary medication use was associated with 1) earlier cancer stage (29% had stage I-II disease vs 17% with stage III-IV disease; odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-3.49) and 2) less impairment with instrumental activities of daily living (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.12-1.73).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complementary medication use was reported by 17% of older adults with cancer and was more common among those who had less advanced disease (i.e., those receiving adjuvant, potentially curative treatment) and higher functional status. Further studies are needed to determine the association between complementary medication use and cancer outcomes among older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Sections of Geriatrics/Palliative Medicine and Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maggiore
authors.forename: Cary P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Togawa
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Tew
authors.forename: Supriya G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Mohile
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owusu
authors.forename: Heidi D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Klepin
authors.forename: Stuart M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lichtman
authors.forename: Ajeet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gajra
authors.forename: Rupal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramani
authors.forename: Vani
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Katheria
authors.forename: Shira M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Klapper
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Arti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hurria
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D028321:Plant Preparations