Characteristics of Homeopathy Users among Internal Medicine Patients in Germany.
BACKGROUND
Homeopathy use continues to grow in many European countries, and some studies have examined the characteristics of patients using homeopathy within the general population. The aim of this study was to identify predictors for homeopathy use among internal medicine patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among all patients being referred to the Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine at Essen, Germany, over a 3-year period. The analysis examined whether patients had used homeopathy for their primary medical complaint before, the perceived benefit, and the perceived harm of homeopathy use. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Of 2,045 respondents, 715 (35.0%) reported having used homeopathy for their primary medical complaint (diagnosis according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems), with 359 (50.2%) reporting perceived benefits and 15 (2.1%) reporting harm. Homeopathy use was positively associated with female gender, high school level education, suffering from fibromyalgia or subthreshold depression, and being fast food abstinent, while patients with osteoarthritis, spinal or other pain, smokers, and patients with a high external-social health locus of control were less likely to use homeopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal characteristics and health status may impact on the use and the perceived helpfulness of homeopathy.
Office of Research, Endeavour College of Natural Health, Brisbane, Australia.
Amie
A
Steel
Holger
H
Cramer
Brenda
B
Leung
Romy
R
Lauche
Jon
J
Adams
Jost
J
Langhorst
Gustav
G
Dobos
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D008419:Materia Medica