title: Prevalence of use and level of awareness of CAM in older people - results from the KORA-Age study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the growing proportion of older adults in Europe there is only limited knowledge of CAM use among the elderly. This analysis aims to provide estimates for the prevalence of CAM use in persons with an age of ≥65, and to investigate correlations of CAM use with demographic characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on participants of the MONICA/KORA studies S1-S4 who were born before 1944, a random sample of 1,079 was selected for comprehensive medical examinations. Questions were presented in structured face-to-face interviews conducted from February to November 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data on CAM use were available for 1,026 subjects with a mean age of 76 years, ranging from 65 to 93 years. 14% of the participants were unaware of CAM. The overall prevalence of CAM use was estimated 37% with minor differences between age groups, but clear differences between male (29%) and female (44%) participants. 1-year prevalence of CAM use was 22% (16% males, 28% females). 1-year of CAM use was associated with a higher level of education in both men and women; with higher income in men; and with more actual diseases in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings indicate that awareness of CAM is high even among people ≥65 years. Estimates for the prevalence of CAM use confirm the relevance of this treatment sector in the healthcare system for the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Competence Centre for Complementary Medicine and Naturopathy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weidenhammer
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lacruz
authors.forename: Rebecca Thwing
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Emeny
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thorand
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mielck
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ladwig
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003710:Demography; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires