Sex differences in the use of complementary and alternative medicine in older men and women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among older adults.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of data from two cohort studies of community-dwelling women (n = 5399) and men (n = 3188) aged 82-87 and 77-91 years, respectively. The main outcome measure was self-report of consultations with an alternative health practitioner.


RESULTS
Men were 1.79 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46, 2.20) times more likely to use CAM than women. People born in a non-English speaking country were 1.49 times (95% CI: 0.94, 2.35) more likely to use CAM. Self-reported general health (P = 0.01) and bodily pain (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with CAM use.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to previous research, CAM use is more prevalent among older men than older women in our sample. Both men and women are using CAM to maintain good health and for the treatment of ongoing conditions.
School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. deirdre.mclaughlin@uq.edu.au
Deirdre
D
McLaughlin
Jon
J
Adams
David
D
Sibbritt
Chi-Wai
CW
Lui
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors