title: Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease.
abstract: Among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), few studies have examined the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and patients' interest in learning mind-body interventions to address health issues. We surveyed 89 adult patients (response rate 84%) at an outpatient hemodialysis center in Brookline, MA, USA regarding the utilization of CAM, including mind-body practices, and willingness to learn mind-body practices. Of respondents, 47% were female, 63% were black, and mean age was 62 years. 61% reported using CAM for health in their lifetime, and 36% reported using CAM within a month of the survey. The most frequent CAM modalities reported in ones' lifetime and in the last month were mind-body practices (42% and 27%, resp.). Overall lifetime CAM use did not differ significantly by sex, race, dialysis vintage, diagnosis of ESRD, employment status, or education level. Subjects reported that mind-body interactions were very important to health with a median score of 9 on a 10-point Likert scale (ranging from 0 for not important to 10 for extremely important). Most patients (74%) reported interest in learning mind-body practices during maintenance hemodialysis. In summary, CAM use, particularly mind-body practice, is frequent among patients with ESRD providing opportunities for future clinical research.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA ; Vanderbilt Center for Integrative Health, Vanderbilt Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Suite 6000 Medical Center East, Nashville, TN 37232-8300, USA.
authors.forename: Gurjeet S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Birdee
authors.forename: Russell S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Brown